Watling Gardens
Delivered for Clarion Housing Group
Project introduction
Working in partnership with British Gas, Lawtech undertook refurbishment works to three 12-storey occupied blocks.
Introduction
Working in partnership with British Gas, Lawtech undertook £4.2m of refurbishment works at Watling Gardens, on three 12-storey occupied blocks.
Watling Gardens is managed by a Tenant Management Organisation (TMO), which required Lawtech’s contract management team to liaise directly with leading residents to conduct the works to their specification. Working with residents, colour choices were identified for the external cladding to the building alongside undertaking initiatives to minimise disruption.
U-Value calculations - determined by our Design & Quality Department - demonstrate that the replacement systems are significantly more effective, improving the block’s insulating performance:
Render:
Existing - 0.40 W/(m²K)
Proposed - 0.23 W/(m²K)
Timber cladding:
Existing - 0.49 W/(m²K)
Proposed - 0.26 W/(m²K)
Challenges
Preventing Access
To prevent unauthorised scaffold access, netting was placed and access routes to the roof blocked off to prevent climbing to the roof or general climbing on the scaffold. Lawtech also utilised anti-climb paint on multiple surfaces as a deterrent, keeping the local children safe from harm.
Material Transportation
To minimise disruption and for ease of access, materials were transported to the roof by a hoist. An exclusion zone was placed around the vicinity of the hoist to ensure the health and safety of operatives and residents.
Internal Works
Where operatives required access to properties, operatives utilised battery-operated tools with noise silencers. These eliminated emissions created internally and minimised noise, resulting in minimised disruption to residents. Internal flooring was protected by Correx throughout to minimise damage to floors and prevent slips, trips and falls.
Resident Liaison
Our RLO team held open days/evenings prior to contract start to demonstrate to residents the necessity of first-time access and how access problems may impact the programme.
There was a children’s playground on the estate which required additional signage and collaboration with local schools to ensure the safety of children.
The TMO played a vital role in helping Lawtech establish a good working relationship with other residents, leaseholders, council and the RLOs. Due to their connections and history with the residents and the blocks, they assisted Lawtech in establishing the best course of action and the most suitable time to carry out the works. This was most apparent for the elderly, more vulnerable residents who were wary of having workmen in their homes.
Lawtech achieved an overall Resident Satisfaction Rate of 99.23%.
Outcome/Impact
The social value Lawtech provided to the residents of Watling Gardens included:
Regular coffee mornings gave residents a chance to ask questions and interact with site managers and RLOs throughout the project.
Lawtech arranged a Halloween party and a Christmas children’s party, in which one Lawtech Site Manager dressed up as Santa Claus.
TMO helped Lawtech identify the most vulnerable residents and give extra care and attention in making sure the work ran smoothly.
In one case Lawtech encountered an elderly lady with Alzheimer’s, who found it hard having all the workmen in her house and was due to set the project back three months. To help alleviate the stress and worry, a Lawtech RLO took her out shopping while the work was carried out on her property.
