PROJECTS
How external wall insulation helped transform 36 tired military houses into attractive, energy-efficient homes.
On behalf of the Defense Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), we were appointed by Vivo to help revive 36 service family homes at Boscombe Down in Dorset. Built in the 1940s and 50s, the homes were performing badly on energy efficiency, and had had minimal refurbishment and maintenance over the years. Our brief: to bring them into the 21st century by smartening up the exterior and making them much more energy efficient.
The details
Overview:
Externally refurbishing 36 service family homes.
Location:
Boscombe Down, Dorset
Timescale:
50 weeks
Works included:
- 90mm external wall insulation
- New rendering to seal the houses
- Improving ventilation so houses breathe properly
- New porches
- New UPVC double-glazed windows with latest U values
- Replacing roofs, felt tiles, fascias and downpipes
- A range of nature-friendly additions including 1F bat-friendly roof felt, bee bricks, bat boxes, swift lofts in the guttering and hedgehog highways between gardens.
The challenges
36 properties and each one unique
Because of the age of the properties, and the varying amount of updates and repairs carried out over the past 70 years, each property was different. Unphased by the challenge, we knew that proper planning would be essential.
We did non-intrusive photo surveys on each property so that we could identify things that could cause a delay – like any mechanical or electrical items that would be affected by the external works. Once we knew exactly what needed doing in each home, we could make sure we had the right trades and materials at the right time, avoid delays and keep disruption for the residents to a minimum.
Hidden asbestos
During the refurbishment and demolition survey, we discovered asbestos in the shed roofs that were partially attached to the properties. It meant no work could begin until they were made safe. Working with our specialist supply chain, we were able to do so, but it meant extensive delays. Working closely with the service families and our client, our team was able to progress other works where possible to reduce the overall delay
The people
Accommodating families’ needs
Working on occupied homes means extra care to reassure residents and minimise disruption. Our Family Liaison Officer, Vicki, was there to provide that extra care. She helped residents understand how the work would impact their lives, and was on hand to answer any questions or concerns. We adapted schedules and processes to reduce the impact on individual residents. For example, we took extra precautions for a resident whose illness was made worse by dust, and scheduled noisy work for times when an autistic resident was out. It’s always a team effort to make sure residents are looked after– including when one of the families’ rabbit escaped! Seeing half a dozen of our contractors chasing the rabbit around the site to ensure its safe return did put a smile on everyone’s faces.
Engaging the local community
As part of our commitment to inspiring the next generation of builders, we hosted T-level students from Sparsholt College for a guided site tour. The students got an insight into the range of construction skills, and the opportunity to ask questions about their future careers in the construction industry.
The impact
Dramatically improved homes, both in their look and feel, and in their energy use (and resulting utility bills). All delivered with care to 36 service families.
“Every day is a school day and today I learned all about how to transform well-loved but tired military homes in #Larkhill, maintained by VIVO Defence Services, into modern and energy-efficient family-friendly homes on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO).
Fitting external wall insulation, new roofs, and new doors and windows is genuinely transformative and makes them look brand new, and it reduces our British Army customers’ energy bills. Seeing how it’s installed, how the families are engaged with, and the difference it makes was so interesting.
Marcus Howlett and Antony Lancaster kindly showed me around, with the detailed training being provided by my new buddy Trevor Wilkins and his cracking team from PAH Building & Construction Limited who do their magic on-site. Their passion to provide a great service to the families was humbling.”
Jamie Macdonald
