Cladding Remediation at 2-12 Hardwick Square: Making Homes Safer and More Secure
We are pleased to share the story of an essential cladding remediation project at 2-12 Hardwick Square, a residential development in Wandsworth. Built around 2008, the complex consists of four interconnecting buildings, featuring a mix of commercial and retail spaces on the ground floor and residential apartments above.
Why is this project important? Well, it aims to replace potentially hazardous combustible cladding and components with fire-safe, non-combustible alternatives, ensuring the safety of the residents and an ‘A’ rating on an EWS1 form, as assessed by a qualified fire engineer.
CDR, a reputable contractor, was chosen through a competitive tender process to handle this project under a JCT 2016 PreConstruction Services Agreement (PCSA). They were appointed as both Principal Contractor (PC) and Principal Designer (PD) and have been working closely with the Hardwick (Wandsworth) RTM Company Ltd, Equals Consulting Ltd, Tri Fire, and Houston Lawrence to complete the project.
After a second stage tender process, CDR secured the appointment as PC & PD under an amended 2016 JCT Design & Build Contract. Funding for this vital work comes from the Government Department for Levelling-up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC).
So, what exactly does the project involve? Let’s take a closer look at the main scope of works:
Brickwork Facades:
- Removing existing single skin brickwork, combustible PIR insulation, and other components in front of the external sheathing board, while retaining the structural framing system (SFS).
- Installing new non-combustible insulation, components, and single skin brickwork, fixed back to the retained SFS using a carrier system and support.
Render Facades:
- Removing existing render finishes and combustible expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation, supported by retained sheathing board and SFS.
- Installing new non-combustible insulation and applying new render finishes to the face of the insulation.
Metal Cladding Facades:
- Removing existing metal cladding, combustible timber and plywood substrate, and combustible PIR insulation, supported by SFS.
- Installing new non-combustible insulation, components, and a new steel deck backing structure for metal cladding finishes.
In conclusion, the cladding remediation project at 2-12 Hardwick Square is a vital undertaking to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. By replacing hazardous materials with fire-safe alternatives, the development will not only achieve an ‘A’ rating on an EWS1 form but also provide peace of mind for the community.
This project is a good example of how collaboration between contractors, RTM management organisations, and government bodies can lead to significant improvements in building safety standards.
Key Subcontractors
The key subcontractors we are in contract with on the project are as follows:
- All Metal Roofing – Metal rainscreen cladding
- Galostar – Brickwork
- Avondale Construction – Logistics, traffic and waste management
- Proplant Scaffolding – Scaffold and hoists
- KDS architecture (formerly KDS associates) – Architects
- Elite Designers – Structural engineers
- Compass Energy solutions – Thermal modelling consultants
- Equals consulting – Client appointed project manager & quantity surveyor
- Havio – Health and safety consultants
Resident Engagement
We held a pre-commencement “meet and greet” day for the residents where they could come and meet us in person to talk through the project and answer specific questions relating to the works.
We are then holding monthly meetings either via teams or in person as the project progresses so we can discuss with residents.
We have also utilised a programme called toggl where the residents have direct log in to a 2 week look ahead programme so they can see what specific works are being undertaken in that period which is updated weekly.
