As pressure to maximise the use of existing developed land grows, building projects in live environments will probably become even more of a fact of life. Ensuring life carries on as normally as possible during construction can be challenging.
It isn’t usually possible to relocate students while additional buildings, or sometimes a replacement school, are constructed. Tenants can’t be rehoused on a large scale while new social housing is built alongside or among the existing homes. And for many projects, there will be local residents and businesses that will be affected by the disruption that construction projects bring.
While some disruption is inevitable, the role of a considerate developer must always include active planning to make sure it is minimised.
With concrete, steel framed structures or traditional block and brick techniques the work is laborious, noisy and usually dusty. It also typically involves the use of scaffolding, which can bring noise and nuisance issues of its own.
Panelised Wrap and Infill
A better option is to use large format panels that can be craned into position and quickly secured, either within the frame or as an external wrap. SIPs are closed large format panels that provide the specified levels of thermal and acoustic performance built-in, without having to apply additional treatments on site.
The time taken to complete the building envelope is significantly reduced – often by several weeks – and the number of onsite operations and operatives is lower than for traditional methods. Meanwhile, just in time delivery of the panels minimises the need for on-site material storage and handling.
Wates Living Space calculated that switching to Innovaré’s infill approach with SIPs saved 15 to 20 weeks on a project to replace 84 homes and provide 120 additional dwellings on the Kidwells Estate in Maidenhead. None of the residents of the existing homes had to move out during the project. Finding temporary accommodation would have been difficult, expensive and disruptive.
Education Construction Without the Disruption
Education projects can be particularly sensitive when it comes to onsite activity. It is well documented that noise impairs effective learning. Yet we know that many building projects will have to be carried out on live school sites to meet soaring demand for additional places.
Among many successful education building programmes, Innovaré worked closely with Ashe Construction to deliver a seven-classroom teaching block and auditorium at Heath Mount School. SIPs were used extensively in the construction which took place to a tight schedule during term time. Using SIPs cut the number of onsite operations to minimise safety risks as well as noise and disruption.
Where building projects have to be carried out in live environments SIPs may offer the best possible solution. Innovaré’s design, manufacturing and installation expertise make it easy for customers and contractors to switch to this modern method of construction.
Find out more about the 10 Benefits of a Wrap and Infill Offsite approach here.
