INCA Case Study: Walker SHDF, Newcastle upon Tyne

Background and Requirements

For a large-scale refurbishment project which showcases technical excellence and unrivalled ability to transform under-performing and aesthetically underwhelming residential properties into comfortable, energy-efficient dwellings with attractive exteriors, look no further than K Systems’ total refurbishment of the Your Homes housing estate in Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The urban housing scheme, approximately 32,000 square metres in size and comprising approximately 400 homes, should have been an attractive living option in the North East of England but, instead, it was unappealing to potential residents, an eyesore for surrounding neighbours, and in desperate need of modernisation.

Every property within the estate was well below-par in terms of thermal performance rating, making it extremely difficult and expensive for tenants to heat, especially with rising energy costs in today’s climate. The homes were dated in appearance and also not aligned with the highest fire safety classifications currently available for residential properties.

All-in-all, the Your Homes scheme in Walker was in serious need of an extreme transformation and refurbishment, both inside and out.

Having worked with K Systems on previous successful projects, Your Homes chose K Systems to work on this project due to its industry-leading knowledge and long-standing reputation for delivering superior quality builds across the UK and Ireland.

The main project requirements for the Walker estate low rise refurbishment were to:

• Significantly improve thermal comfort for residents
• Achieve a high performance in the fire classification of the façade system
• Deliver a modern, clean, more appealing aesthetic
• Deliver consistency across all 400 homes
• Complete a refurbishment to PAS2035 standards as required by the Government Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 2 (funding the scheme)

K Systems teamed up with JDDK Architects, Straight Line Construction and Sykes Specialist Contracting to complete the refurbishment and transform the scheme from run-down residences to in-demand dwellings.
Solution, Specification and Results:

At the outset of this project, K Systems engaged in a thorough scoping process that considered client requirements, project goals, budgets, and timelines.

As part of this detailed process, a detailed site survey was performed, including a condition inspection of the walls and pull-out testing for the insulation fixings. This inspection revealed that the properties featured no-fines concrete wall construction. This discovery necessitated meticulous attention to detail and precise calculations to select the correct insulation fixings and specifications for the EWI system to ensure a successful outcome for the client and residents.

Upon finalising the project scope, K Systems recommended the industry-proven Mineral Wool insulation system to revitalise the aged façade and significantly enhance the thermal performance of the properties.

K Systems’ Mineral Wool insulation is renowned for its exceptional thermal performance and resistance to fire. This made it an ideal choice for the refurbishment, effectively addressing residents’ heating issues while preserving the building’s solid foundation.

The technical benefits of the K Systems 110mm Mineral Wool system that made it perfect for this refurbishment include:

• Its high level of fire resistance and non-combustibility, with an A2-s1-d0 classification, ensuring compliance with all safety regulations for residential buildings in England
• Its excellent acoustic properties
• Its environmentally friendly composition of the mineral wool, being free from gases with ozone depletion potential (ODP) or global warming potential (GWP)

During the project scoping process, it was discovered that the 400 homes were highly vulnerable to cold-bridging issues, which could have led to significant problems for residents, such as dampness and mould.

K Systems addressed this issue during the refurbishment by using XPS (extruded polystyrene) insulation below the DPC, including behind doorsteps. This rigid foam provides a strong, yet lightweight and flexible insulation solution that is highly resistant to water absorption and therefore is ideal where exposure to water could be detrimtenal to most typical insulants.

Incorporating XPS insulation into the project enabled K Systems to complete the refurbishment in accordance with PAS2035 standards, a specific requirement from Your Homes and the SHDF Government fund.

Other elements of the refurbishment assigned by K Systems which ensured the refurbishment adhered to PAS2035 standards included:

• Insulation of all windows and door reveals using 30mm mineral wool
• Sealing of all insulation with compriband tape at abutments such as window frame soffits, in addition to the typical mastic seals at material interfaces
• Replacement of existing electric and gas boxes with new insulated boxes to eradicate cold-bridging within the EWI installation – this PAS2035-accepted and economical solution was key to minimising the disruption to residents

With the EWI fulfilling the requirements and objectives of Your Homes, K Systems’ focus then turned to another of the client’s bespoke requests – the finish.

The exterior of all 400 homes was weather-beaten and sun-washed, creating a mis-matched appearance and varying shades of grey. Given the size and stature of the housing estate, this made the whole Walker area an extremely unattractive prospect for potential residents and caused discontent amongst existing tenants / homeowners.

The client tasked K Systems with specifying a finish that would not only restore the pristine aesthetic of each home but actually uplift the entire social housing scheme to create a ‘new-development feel’.

A K Systems silicone render finish in shade ‘pearl’ was applied to all 400 homes to achieve the consistent, bright, fresh exterior requested by the client, significantly uplifting the entire area of Walker.

Quality Assurance

K Systems has a long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality projects for clients across the UK and Ireland. This is only made possible due to its due diligence, commitment, and attention to detail that it gives every single client.

As part of continual project support, K Systems Site Surveyors were on site twice per month throughout the entire 400-home Walker SHDF project. These visits provided a range of benefits, including on-site technical guidance to the installers, opportunity for K Systems to evolve the system specification and design due to any new challenges discovered during the installation, and the issue of reports, with photographic evidence, after each visit. These reports provide complete transparency regarding the installed system design and installation quality to all parties involved. The site surveillance was critical to ensuring the project was delivered to standard, on time, and within budget.

Your Homes and JDDK Architects, responsible for coordinating the PAS2035 requirements, were completely satisfied with the measures implemented by the K Systems teams on this refurbishment.

Completed Refurbishment Project

The comprehensive refurbishment of the Walker SHDF project in Newcastle upon Tyne exemplifies K Systems’ commitment to exceeding client expectations and delivering a market-leading renovation of a multi-site residential project on time and within budget.

The Your Homes housing estate was transformed from properties with substandard living conditions into an appealing array of PAS2035 compliant homes. These upgraded residences are now energy-efficient, warm, comfortable, robust, and visually attractive, with U-value ratings improved from 1.75W/m²K to 0.28W/m²K, fully meeting the client’s requirements and aspirations.

Testimonials

Adam Vaughan, JDDK Architects

“From inception to completion, K Systems supported JDDK Architects in preparing a specification and agreeing all detailing to ensure PAS2035 and Building Control Regulations were met. They visited the site numerous times before and during the construction stage to carry out detailed spot checks. They were always on hand to provide prompt support for the inevitable site queries and complications which arose. They delivered a great service and contributed to a really successful project.”

John Henderson, Your Homes Newcastle

“K Systems has been instrumental in assisting Your Homes Newcastle from the project’s inception to its completion. The team meticulously prepared the specification and ensured all details were aligned with current Building Control Regulations. K Systems’ commitment was evident through numerous site visits conducted before the tender process, during construction, and upon completion. The team performed detailed spot checks, provided photographic evidence, and verified batch numbers of materials and the service delivered was outstanding, resulting in a highly successful project that we fully endorse with complete satisfaction.”