What we did:
To meet the growing demand for new housing Carmarthenshire County Council embarked on a programme of providing affordable homes through the redevelopment of disused sites and assets. The redevelopment project at Wauniago House was part of this initiative. The project involved the demolition of the existing 2 story building, which incorporated 14 bedsit accommodation, and design and build of 4 new properties creating 3 x 2 bedroom homes and 1 x 4 bedroom home on the site off Beech Road, Carmarthen. The 4 dwellings were designed and constructed adopting a fabric first approach, were highly insulated and maximised the use of renewable energy including PV and heat recovery to help tackle and reduce fuel poverty for tenants. They incorporate a higher degree of insulation than that currently required by Building Regulations.
Client:
Carmarthenshire County Council
Works Completed:
On award the scheme had been designed to RIBA Stage 3 and we were responsible for progressing all design works which included the coordination and integration of all design disciplines along with the submission, management and achievement of all necessary approvals required to complete the project through all the RIBA stages. Works included:
• Disconnection of all services and demolition and removal of existing 2 storey building.
• Asbestos Removal.
• Timber frame construction, windows, doors, decoration.
• Design & Build of 4 new residential units.
• Renewal of M&E services including installation of fire sprinklers.
• External works included drainage, M&E infrastructure, erection of fencing, creation of off road parking.
• Built to Passivhaus principles.
Key things we had to consider:
The project was located in an extremely busy and confined residential area in Carmarthen. The effective management of health and safety was therefore paramount along with ensuring that the measures adopted were effective and were continually reviewed and monitored. The demolition works were carefully planned and managed to ensure that disruption to neighbouring residents was kept to an absolute minimum in terms of noise, dust and increased traffic movement in carting away the demolition building.
Building standards we worked to:
- Carmarthenshire Home Standard
- Welsh Housing Quality Standards
- LABC (Local Authority Building Control)
