Built in Hertford in the 1990s, Network Homes’ Colebrook Court provided 14 one- bed flats to the area for years, but local population growth prompted a need for larger, affordable family homes to deliver greater value to residents.
The purpose:
Built in Hertford in the 1990s, Network Homes’ Colebrook Court provided 14 one-bed flats to the area for years, but local population growth prompted a need for larger, affordable family homes to deliver greater value to residents.
United Living, appointed to redesign and remodel the building in line with regeneration in the wider neighbourhood, asked us to partner with them to find a way to increase the building’s size and tenancy potential without needing to acquire more land.
Innocative and Modern Methods of Construction
Our solution:
Drawing on the team’s experience and know-how, we were able to conceptualise and build a rooftop development that added an extra storey to the building. Increasing the height made it possible to convert the building’s existing footprint into a space housing 11 larger properties – that were better suited to family living and that would be available on an affordable basis via rent or shared ownership.
The rooftop development was completed utilising innovative, modern methods of construction (MMC) techniques – including with the use of prefabricated steel cassettes.
The adoption of MMC also made it possible to work around the small footprint available on-site during construction itself, with a roof level loading bay created.
Beyond the roof itself, the full building underwent a complete overhaul. To support the new super structure, changes were made to party walls, stabilising the new floor and improving fire and acoustic separation in line with relevant Building Regulations.
In addition, a central lift was added to make accessibility possible for all residents, while the external fabric was transformed to create an aesthetic more in keeping with the modern appearance of neighbouring apartment blocks.
The result:
Colebrook Court demonstrates the potential that older buildings possess to create modern, desirable homes given the right strategic counsel and expertise. Utilising MMC approaches and finding a solution to build up, not out, this individual project shows that it is in fact possible to both generate more space and boost an existing building’s longevity in a single project.
Through the work undertaken by our team, Network Homes has achieved its goal of elevating Colebrook Court while addressing demands locally for greater affordable housing; By expanding vertically, we were able to increase the building’s internal space by 22% without any additional land and the new mix of unit sizes and tenures has helped the housing provider to better meet the area’s needs.
Changing the external appearance of the building has not only injected value into an existing asset, but delivered social value to the wider community by enhancing the living environment and making the location far more desirable.
Added to which, the remodel will help to improve Colebrook Court’s overall sustainability. Now fitted with a flat roofing system, mounted with photovoltaic panels, the building will be able to passively generate renewable energy.
Crucially, the contemporary upgrade has ensured that its existence is sustainable both structurally, practically and aesthetically for the foreseeable future. We’re proud that it speaks to our central mission to provide the solutions and services that are designed for better living.