IGL were appointed by Muir Housing Group to address the external appearance of timber framed bungalows which once provided sheltered accomodation for occupants but which had since been changed to more traditional occupantion.

Despite having initially appointed an architect to develop design solutions for the external façades with favourable apperances provided in their designs, the proposals could not be delivered within available budgets.

Muir Group approached IGL to see if the designs could be value enigneered to deliver a similar finish wihtin budget. IGL were able to develop a proposal which involved the removal of the existing external façade, while preserving the internal timber framing, allowing occupants to remain in situ throughout the construction process. A new insulated cavity would then be introduced, with external masonry finished in brickwork, rendering and cementitious cladding to reduce future maintance to the blocks.

Investigations were undertaken to determine the existing foundations which resulted in the opportunity to utilise the existing footings for these proposals, allowing the costs to be reduced for the project overall.

Due to the number of properties involved, the project was split into three phases, with costs negotiated with the same contractor for future phases, to maintain consistency and allow lessons learnt in the first phase from having to be repeated.

The end result vastly improved the appearance of the whole estate. The properties were then able to achieve the EPC Rating of C as required, and future proofed the envelope of each block to make the buildings more suitable for sustainable heating solutions in the future.

New roof coverings, improved insulation and reduced redecoration maintenance also pleased the occupants who were able to reduce their yearly bills.