INCA Case Study: Curries Yard, Dumfries and Galloway

Background and Requirements

Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership (DGHP) wished to develop 89 affordable new homes for social rent, regenerating a prominent brownfield site, which was previously home to a former logistics yard in Locharbriggs.

The Heathall area in which the development is situated is a popular residential area approximately three miles from Dumfries town centre and railway station. The area benefits from being on the main bus route and sits adjacent to the cycle path leading to the town.

The development comprises a mix of two, three and four-bedroom semi-detached houses, two and three-bedroom terraced homes, and two five-bedroom homes. Private and communal green space is provided throughout the development as well as the provision of 183 car parking spaces.

The homes were specified to benefit from enhanced energy performance and to meet the Housing for Varying Needs (HFVN) design standards, set by the Scottish Government to ensure they can be suitably adapted in response to varying tenancy requirements.

The development was conceived to create a new place to soften the fragmented urban edge along the prominent A701 trunk road. The design concept sought to tie together and enhance existing features of the area which include a medley of hard-edged roads, pastoral landscape, quarry workers cottages, suburban homes, commercial warehouses and white farm buildings.

The three main requirements of the project specification were to:

1. Improve the thermal performance of the property portfolio for DGHP
2. Achieve a wall design with a U-value of 0.14W/m²K, that could be incorporated into the Off-Site Manufacturing (OSM) portfolio
3. Enhance the domestic architecture which seeks to explore familiar vernacular forms and elements to create a recognisable suburban place that is aesthetically pleasing and fits in with the surrounding landscape

The project was delivered by Wheatley Homes South – part of Wheatley, Scotland’s leading housing, care and property management group – alongside CCG, K Systems and Collective Architecture.

Solution, Specification and Results

Following extensive planning meetings, a comprehensive scoping process with the client and all third parties, and careful consideration of the key criteria of the project specification, the Aricco EWI system was specified with a dash render finish for the supporting façades.

Aricco is as a drained and ventilated cavity system, perfectly suited for use in low-rise buildings, particularly new build projects as this development was. It is the most compatible choice for offisite/modular construction techniques and boasts an A2-s1,d0 fire classification which therefore ensures it complies with the latest building regulations to guarantee the safety of all residents.

The dash finish chosen offers the highest level of durability against weather along with the highest Category 1 impact rating for façade systems. This allowed the architect to achieve a modern aesthetic whilst retaining a respeceted and traditional finish to the homes, all of which could be seamlessly integrated into the advanced off-site construction technologies delivered by CCG.

Unlike many of the dash render colours already specified in Scotland, or typically chosen in today’s market, the architect requested many colour samples of reds, greys and creams which K Systems could readily supply. This allowed for the desired aesthetic of a blend of house colours within the development that differentiate the houses yet compliment each other beautifully.

Not only did specifying a dash render finish for this project assist in creating the desired and beautiful aesthetic, it also delivered additional benefits to the client including:

• Easier installation which reduced labour intensity allowing jobs to be completed in a faster timeframe
• A robust, durable finish able to withstand the elements
• A low maintenance finish allowing for easier upkeep for residents and the development owners

In terms of addressing the requirement to deliver a new build project which could be incorporated into an OSM portfolio:

The construction and manufacturing company, CCG, is renowned for its off-site, factory produced timber frame wallkits which are manufactured from a nearby production site in Cambuslang, Glasgow. CCG’s ‘iQ’ System was chosen for Curries Yard, as it is designed with a fabric-first approach where a precision-engineered build design results in fewer junctions and thermal bridges to deliver enhanced U-values and to significantly improve airtightness.

K Systems was the perfect partner due to its experience in dealing with OSM systems and cost effective design integration of the Aricco façade system into CCG’s specific ‘iQ’ construction system.

Challenges

A major consideration during the construction of the Curries Yard project was the location of the site directly next to an existing housing estate. The proximity of the estate necessitated meticulous planning and execution to ensure that the project proceeded smoothly and to minimise the impact on the neighbouring community.

One of the primary concerns was noise pollution. To mitigate this, the construction team implemented several strategies including scheduling noisy operations during the day when most residents were likely to be away at work.

Another significant challenge was maintaining unobstructed road access. To prevent this, the entire planning team coordinated carefully to mitigate inconvenience to local residents and commuters. Regular communication with the community ensured that residents were informed well in advance of any potential disruptions, allowing them to plan accordingly.

The construction team, including K Systems, was committed to responsible environmental practices. Measures were taken to minimise dust and debris, and efforts were made to recycle construction materials where possible.

Completed New Build Project

The project stands as an example of how careful planning and community engagement can effectively address and overcome the challenges associated with large-scale construction projects.

Throughout the project, K Systems maintained rigorous oversight, coordinating with all parties involved and ensuring compliance with building regulations. Regular communication with the K Systems’ key approved installer, confirmed the correct installation of all components and guaranteed quality from start to finish.

Regular support and technical meetings and site visits ensured that any technical detail difficulties were quickly resolved.

From the outset, members of the K Systems technical team were involved in every aspect of the project, from specification and design to planning, assessment and delivery of the project. Their experience of similar scale projects enabled them to advise effectively and ensured the delivery of a project that was completed to the highest standard, on budget and on time.

The project’s success is further highlighted by the positive testimonial below, underscoring the company’s commitment to excellence in customer service and technical support.

Testimonial

CCG (Scotland) Spokesperson

“At a time when the industry is facing material shortages and cost inflationary pressures, the Aricco system offers a contemporary and high-quality alternative to traditional brick or render finishes. The system’s design flexibility is also key to CCG; pioneers for offsite construction methods in Scotland, the ability to integrate the system as part of timber system offering is fundamental to driving efficiencies and generating time savings for our clients. In affordable housebuilding, this carries an added weight of significance and we would like to thank the K Systems team for playing a major role in the creation of the largest individual project of its kind ever constructed in Dumfries and Galloway.”