Project: Spencer Courtyard, Finchley, London
Architect: kennedytwaddle
Developers: Monbally
Main Contractor: Lyons & Sons
Roofing Contractor: AJ Lucas Roofing Ltd
Waterproofing membrane: IKO Armourplan PSG PVC single ply membrane

Introduction

Sustainability and creating a lush, haven of greenery were key considerations for award-winning architects and designers kennedytwaddle when turning a derelict eyesore into a scheme of contemporary homes in Finchley London.

About the project

Spencer Courtyard is a development of three new build single storey houses, each with their own private courtyard, and a partial rebuild of an existing two storey-block to create another two apartments.

Tucked behind terraces which front Regents Park Road, the small, brownfield site was originally a timber yard which is closely overlooked by the neighbouring properties. Due to its location, the architects knew that engaging with the local community was of paramount importance and involved them throughout the design process.

Gaining planning permission required careful consideration and kennedytwaddle adopted a sympathetic approach to the design of the properties. This included orientating the houses to offer the most privacy to the homeowners and surrounding houses. Daniel Bosworth, technical manager at SIG Design & Technology worked with the architects to develop the roofing specification to support the process.

Choice of materials was very important in this context and the architects opted for natural, tactile materials, such as brick and timber and large windows to ensure the interiors get plenty of natural light. Wanting to promote biodiversity within its urban setting and provide an aesthetically pleasing view […]

Project: NHS Isolation Units
Client: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Main contractors: ModuleCo
Roofing contractors: Harold Jones Roofing and Roofworx
Waterproofing membrane: IKO Armourplan P single ply membrane

Introduction

When COVID-19 first hit the UK, NHS Trusts were faced with the demands of increasing specialized intensive care and isolation ward capacity to deal with very sick and highly infectious patients. With the rate of infection escalating the biggest challenge was to create this extra capacity quickly.

Modular construction techniques are ideal for these situations and Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust approached ModuleCo to provide a 10 bed High Consequential Infectious Diseases (HCID) Isolation Ward. With the rate of infections escalating rapidly the challenge was to design, construct and commission a fully working ward in only eight weeks setting a new benchmark in off-site construction timescales for these M&E complex facilities.

Modular Units

ModuleCo’s units are assembled almost entirely from pre-engineered components in a controlled factory environment. Each part of the modules such as roof, walls etc. are constructed on rigs in the factory. When each element is ready the module is then put together like a large jigsaw puzzle. This makes constructing units a safer and quicker process than traditional construction methods and it is possible to complete two modular roofs in a single day.

Having worked alongside NHS Trusts for over 20 years, delivering over 135 individual projects across the UK ModuleCo used their extensive experience to design, manufacture and deliver an isolation ward for the hospital […]

Project: Baxter Green, Bramcote
Client: Willmark Homes
Architect: Leonard Design
Contractor: William May Developments
Roofing Contractor: K&S Services Nottingham Ltd
Waterproofing membrane: IKO Armourplan PSG PVC single ply membrane

Introduction

IKO Armourplan PSG single ply membrane has been specified for a re-development by Willmark Homes on the former site of St John’s College in Bramcote village, Nottingham. When completed Baxter Green will feature 40 residential properties varying in sizes from apartments to five-bedroom houses.

About the Project

Architects Leonard Design were appointed to create this residential development set in the former gardens of the Grade II listed college. The picturesque scheme has been sympathetically designed to complement the existing buildings and create an exclusive development of luxury homes with a strong connection to the outdoors.

Phase 1 has seen the development of the four and five-bedroom houses which boast a striking three-storey design. The front elevation presents a house of two halves, flat roof areas support a large terrace to one side and a pitched roof on the opposite. The roof provides a distinctive element and appears to wrap around the house flowing from the apex down to ground level. Due to the degree of visibility accorded by the steepness of the slope the concept demanded a roof covering which could meet the high expectations with regard to visual appearance.

Product Choice

The developers had originally wanted to specify a zinc material for the roof areas, however after exploring the options it was deemed to be out of reach in terms of […]

Project: Honiton Community College
Main contractors: Mercury Construction
Roofing contractors: RC Roofing
Waterproofing membrane: IKO Armourplan PSG

While much of the UK’s stock of school and academy buildings is ageing, fortunately, some well-informed educational establishments are now able to deal with the problems caused by leaking roofing systems.

To address building dilapidation issues, academies and sixth form colleges can apply to the government’s Condition Improvement Fund, (CIF). The objective of CIF is to address significant condition need, keeping buildings safe and in good working order. Priority is usually given to projects such as roof, window and central heating replacements.

The CIF process follows an annual bidding round whereby academies apply for extra capital funding. It’s a resource you can turn to when your school roof has reached the end of its useful life. But resources are tight as an increasing amount of schools enter the bidding process.

One clear example of roof disrepair was at Honiton Community College in Devon which also offers sixth form facilities. It converted to academy status in 2011 and was successful in securing £1m of CIF Funding from the DFE for a major refurbishment of the science block.

Approved works comprised a new roof, windows, internal and external doors, new flooring, and decoration throughout. Installation of new mechanical services and new laboratory fixtures and fittings completed the project.

Refurbishments to the college were undertaken by award-winning main contractor, Mercury Construction of Plymouth. Work started […]

Project: The Tree House, Clowance Estate
Main contractors: Blue Forest
Roofing contractors: Marnick Roofing
Waterproofing membrane: IKO Armourplan P

Home to an aristocratic Cornish family for five centuries, the Clowance Estate and Country Club, Cornwall is one of a kind. The Clowance Estate is set in 97 acres of magnificent landscaped parkland and beautiful woodland setting, some 20 minutes from both north and south Cornish coasts. It provides luxury holiday accommodation all year round.

Blue Forest has established a reputation as the world’s leading treehouse consultancy and are renowned for designing buildings that reflect the environment in which they are built. At Clowance, the team at Blue Forest were tasked with creating a two-bedroomed forest retreat consisting of approximately 70 m2 of raised self-contained accommodation plus external balcony and dining deck. The final design for the living area incorporated two main intersecting circular elements (one radius 2600mm and the other 3700mm) and one rectangular zone.

The Tree House is a new build holiday let set in the midst of a forest location and is adjacent to a lake. Its design juxtaposes modern materials and a bold sharp angular concept with the canopy and foliage of an established woodland.

This striking concept demanded a roof covering not only meeting the high expectation regarding visual appearance (due to the degree of visibility accorded by the steepness of the slope) but also capable of seamlessly and robustly dealing with the various conical-to-conical and conical-to-dual pitch valley interfaces and curved fascia detail.

Traditionally, cedar shingles would have been specified. However, in […]

Project: Bristol General Hospital
Architect: City & Country
Main contactor: City & Country
Roofing contractor: Roofworx
Waterproofing membrane: IKO Armourplan PVC

Standing in a prominent position overlooking the city’s Harbourside, the former Bristol General Hospital is an iconic and long-admired building.

The Grade II listed site in Lower Guinea Street is now being redeveloped as 205 luxury apartments and houses with between one and four bedrooms, giving the former hospital – which first opened in 1832 – a new purpose.

City & Country, which specialises in the redevelopment of heritage properties, was granted planning permission for their residential scheme on the condition that they could recreate a key feature of the Bristol General which was once highly visible from miles around.

The distinctive Ogee Dome which once capped the unique 25 metre octagonal tower in the south west corner of the building was destroyed during World War Two bombing, in which other parts of the hospital were also heavily damaged. The challenge for the contractors was to painstakingly recreate the dome, with the replica forming part of plans to return the building to its original exterior design of 1853.

Modern materials were employed in the quest to recreate part of Bristol’s heritage. SIG Design & Technology supplied IKO’s Armourplan PSG membrane because it fitted the bill perfectly as the roof covering was ideal for replicating the original seamed lead roof.

Recreating the dome required the employment of skilled carpenters to build a structure 10 metres wide by nine metres high and weighing over 16 tonnes once completed.

The challenge facing […]