CASE STUDY: MIDDLESEX
Project Details
Project Title: Oriel Estate, Hanworth, Middlesex
Client: Hounslow Homes
Main Contractor: Graham Holmes Astraseal Ltd
Contract Period: November 2004 - March 2006
Design Brief
To replace existing timber framed aluminium windows, ageing cedar cladding, fascia, balconies and up-grade insulation to rear of cladding in a major refurbishment scheme. Hounslow Homes are the Arms Length Management Organisation formed from the London Borough of Hounslow to manage the Council’s 16,500 homes. The Oriel Estate, built in the 1970’s, comprises some 360 homes in a mixed development of houses, flats and maisonettes. The project involved the replacement of the existing windows and areas faced with timber - cladding, fascia and balconies. The size and nature of the site made it difficult to break the site down into smaller packages so Hounslow Homes decided to tackle the site as a whole, no mean feat when the cedar clad areas alone exceed 7,500m2.
Cladding, Balcony and Fascia Solutions
The then London Borough of Hounslow started to look for a solution to the cladding and balcony elements in 2003, considering all types of cladding, they decided on Werzalit’s Selekta Colorpan cladding system as it was the only material that met all of their specification requirements. Principal amongst these was the ability to withstand not only the elements but also vandalism. Another consideration was the need to replace balconies that were becoming difficult to maintain and no longer complied with Building Regulations. Werzalit had within their range one of the most comprehensive balcony systems on the market, this system complemented the cladding system and met all of the demands on site. Finally, the decision was also made to use fascia profiles to match the cladding and balcony material. Hounslow Homes partnered the project with Wellingborough based Astraseal - a large and experienced commercial window fabricator/installer and existing customer of Almura. Having been involved with Werzalit in the pre-contract phase, Almura Building Products began working with Astraseal and Hounslow Homes to produce design solutions to the many obstacles produced by the site layout. Coincidentally, a fire resulted in extensive damage to 3 flats in one block, enabling a pilot scheme to be undertaken. The pilot scheme was completed in 2004 and was followed by a detailed review and resident consultation process leading to a successful planning application in Autumn 2004. The Partnering Scheme ran between January 2005 to March 2006 and saw Almura Building Products actively involved in the project throughout, ensuring that the cladding, fascia and balcony replacement part of the programme stayed on track.
Almura Building Products, provided a one stop supply and technical design service, used their experience and knowledge of Werzalit’s range to ensure that Hounslow Homes, Astraseal and the residents themselves all share in the benefits offered by the unique products on offer from Werzalit. Werzalit’s products are easy to install, have real long-term resistance to the elements (as proven by installations dating back over 30 years), are highly resistant to vandalism, have a wide choice of colours, finishes and design solutions.