INCA Case Study: Wester Common Road, Glasgow

Background and Requirements

Wester Common Road is a residential area in North-East Glasgow, predominantly occupied by flats and tower blocks consistent with student neighbourhoods and inner-city suburbs.

Queen’s Cross Housing Association (QCHA) owned one particular set of maisonette flats in the area which were proving a headache for both the association itself and for existing residents due to their extremely poor thermal qualities.

The combination of an underperforming EWI insulation system and rising fuel costs meant that many existing occupants within the Wester Common Road maisonettes were actually living in a state of fuel poverty as they couldn’t afford to heat their homes.

QCHA required a skilled partner to:

• Completely refurbish the maisonettes to bring their thermal efficiency credentials up to building regulation levels
• Address an aged façade which was significantly hindering the appeal of the complex to potential residents
• Improve the fire performance of the properties due to their lower flat and upper flat construction
• Deliver a project with minimal disruption to existing residents of the area

K Systems, renowned for its ability to transform residential schemes from downtrodden, underperforming residences to energy-efficient, aesthetically pleasing homes, was appointed by QCHA to deliver the Wester Common refurbishment in partnership with Ailsa Building Contractors and Riach Architects.

Solution, Specification, Challenges and Results

At the outset of the project in Glasgow, K Systems conducted a comprehensive scoping process, taking into account client requirements, project goals, budgets, and timelines.

As part of this process, a residential tenant open day was also organised by K Systems, the approved contractor Ailsa Building Contractors, and QCHA. This event allowed tenants and homeowners to review the project plans, discuss potential diversions and disruptions, and view the final proposed designs.

This initiative demonstrates K Systems’ dedication to resident engagement, ensuring successful project delivery and going above and beyond for its clients to ensure complete satisfaction for all involved.

After finalising the project scope, K Systems specified the industry-proven 120mm Mineral Wool insulation system to significantly enhance the thermal performance of the properties (to 0.16 W/m²K, as required by building regulations) and rejuvenate the aged façade.

Mineral Wool insulation provides exceptional performance with high levels of fire resistance and non-combustibility (the complete EWI system achieves an A2-s1,d0 classification). Additional benefits of the Mineral Wool insulation system include:

• Excellent environmental properties, containing no gases with Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) or Global Warming Potential (GWP)
• Ease of cutting and installation
• Superior acoustic properties
• Unmatched breathability
• Resistance to the elements
• Futureproofs the building as a comfortable and viable living space for years to come

For the exterior finish of the Wester Common Road maisonettes, a silicone thin-coat render was specified to achieve a clean, fresh, modern look. Several colours of K Systems Silicone TC15 render were proposed, giving the client ample choice and input. These colours were also presented at the tenant open day, allowing residents to have a say in the final appearance of their homes.

A pearl and causeway facade finish was ultimately applied, greatly enhancing the overall aesthetic of the four-storey flats, boosting the area’s appeal, protecting the structural foundation from the Scottish elements, increasing resident satisfaction, and meeting QCHA’s expectations.

The flats being refurbished within this project were adjacent to several other tower blocks and estates, therefore it was crucial that any refurbishment partner minimised the impact and disruption for existing residents as much as possible – a mandatory requirement stated by the client at the tender stage.

Through meticulous scheduling and coordination of arrivals and deliveries on site, K Systems was able to mitigate disruption and upheaval for existing tenants and keep traffic access points clear and accessible at all points throughout the project. K Systems worked with the installer to manage on-site material stock levels, delivery disruptions to residents and to ensure a timely supply of the materials as the project progressed.

Quality Assurance

K Systems is renowned for delivering high-quality, top-tier projects for clients across the UK and Ireland. This success is a testament to the company’s due diligence, commitment, and meticulous attention to detail for every client.

Throughout the Glaswegian project, K Systems’ Site Application Specialists made regular site visits, conducting support and technical meetings with both the client and contractors. K Systems updated design drawings and installation guidance where ever unforeseen design challenges occurred and produced progress reports from the site inspections at every stage to ensure the highest standard of installation and specification appropriateness.

This support helped provide the client and installer with the optimal system design and supporting evidence of its implementation. This ensured the highest level of quality assurance was attained, to provide confidence in the regulatory compliance and longevity of the system for the client and residents.

The K Systems team also facilitated communication between all project stakeholders, ensuring the project was delivered on budget and within the agreed timeframe.

It is this level of dedication and customer service which sets K Systems apart from its industry counterparts.

Completed Project

The comprehensive refurbishment of the Wester Common Road project in Glasgow, Scotland, exemplifies K Systems’ commitment to exceeding client expectations. The company delivered a market-leading renovation of residential flats on time, within budget, with minimal disruption, and to the satisfaction of all parties involved, especially the client.

The project, completed in March 2023, delivered upon all of the client’s main objectives listed below:

• Completely refurbish the maisonettes to bring their thermal efficiency credentials up to building regulation levels (U-value was improved from 1.7 W/m²K to 0.16 W/m²K)
• Address an aged façade which was significantly hindering the appeal of the complex to potential residents (pearl and causeway silicone render finish achieved this)
• Improve the fire performance of the properties due to their lower flat and upper flat construction (improved to A2 fire rating)
• Deliver a project with minimal disruption to existing residents of the area (achieved seamlessly)
• Proving its ability to exceed client expectations, K Systems also delivered the following benefits as a result of the specification and refurbishment:
• The new façade provides superior acoustic properties to help reduce background noise levels, in addition to providing unmatched breathability and weather resistance, to withstand the elements
• The flats are now more comfortable to live within due to reduced heating costs and significantly improved thermal comfort, therefore making them a viable living space for years to come
• The products specified were easier to work with and install, reducing the labour intensity for all teams on site

The Wester Common Road project is a shining example of a best-in-class low rise refurbishment project.

Testimonials

Jamie Cowan, Riach Partnership Ltd

“The K Systems team provided technical support from initial inception to specification support and detailing advice including supply of BBA and LABSS certification required by the local authority. The team’s weekly site inspections and reports, as well as always being available to discuss any site issues by phone, gave both our client and design team confidence that works were in accordance with K Systems’ guidelines and the warranty, on completion, will be obtained. We appreciate the team’s honest and professional opinions and advice.”

Kenny McDermott, Ailsa Builders

“The pre-construction input by K Systems helped both contractor and client get a good insight into the finished article and the weekly site visits maintained a smooth application and guaranteed a happy client! Look forward to the next project.”