Blog: SECBE Awards 2022 finalist - Langley adds new roof, rooms and value to Colebrook Court

30 March 2022

Value

Langley adds new roof, rooms and value to Colebrook Court (submitted by Langley UK Ltd) 

Value Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2022 finalist

Langley was asked by United Living to deliver a complete transformation of Colebrook Court in The Ridgeway in Hertford, Hertfordshire, by designing, supplying and installing a roof-top extension. The end solution turned out to deliver far more – speaking to Langley’s ‘For Better Living’ mission.

The residential block, managed by Network Homes, sits adjacent to the new Ridgeway Regeneration scheme. With the scheme valued close to £34 million, it was important to ensure the 1990s building could cater to the local area’s current demands for larger, yet affordable homes. United Living was appointed to undertake the design and remodelling of Colebrook Court and associated landscaping works, as a separate contract for the regeneration.

The building comprised 14 one-bedroom units, which didn’t meet the local area’s growing need for affordable family homes. Network Homes redesigned the internal fabric of the building to change the size of the units to facilitate larger apartments. However, solely using the existing building envelope would reduce the total accommodation provision. Extending upwards was the solution and one which was achieved with Langley’s advice and expertise.

Langley acted as design sub-contractor covering the rooftop super structure, creating a design for the new dwellings whilst ensuring structural stability, before supplying and installing the rooftop development solution – bridging design and method to deliver an end-to-end service.

Collaboration with all stakeholders on the project allowed for an efficient and comprehensive specification. It included the refurbishment of the existing building by adding a new floor to the roof, extension to the front and altering the external appearance of the building. 

Langley’s RTD solution meant that no land acquisition by the housing association or local authority was required in order to build more family homes. Together, the partners extended Colebrook Court and delivered two one-bed units and four two-bed units for rent, as well as five two-bed units available for purchase through shared ownership. The mix of unit sizes and tenure helped to meet the area’s affordable housing requirements.

The redesign and improvement of the building’s fabric supported zero-carbon goals by adding rainwater harvesting and stormwater attenuation, with quality exceeding the brief (U-value 0.1 roofing and excellent 1:40 rainwater drainage falls on testing).

Key achievements:

• Increasing social housing to meet the chronic shortage of homes.

• Adding value to an existing building asset by extending upwards.

• Refurbishing the building to a higher specification than was required by standards.

Client: Network Homes

Partners: United Living South

Find out who wins at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2022 Ceremony on Thurs 30th June 2022.

About the Value Award: 

Judges are looking for an initiative, project or series of projects that has focused on the value of facilities in use and the outcomes for owners and users. More info.

>> Find out more about the other Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards finalists here