The Retrofit for the Future programme explored how existing homes can be improved to use less energy, cut carbon emissions and save costs.

This extensive refurbishment at Oxford House involved updating and improving the internal environment of people’s homes.   This included:

• The installation of new, more controllable heating and ventilation systems.
• The improvement of the thermal envelope of the building by installing external wall insulation, better performing windows, a new insulated roof and improved flat entrance doors.
• A new render system giving it a more modern and aesthetically pleasing look.

We engaged the services of LJMU to carry out continuous monitoring of the energy demand before, during, and post construction works. Additionally, AA projects engaged with the residents to manage a behavioural change in energy use including how best to use the new heating and ventilation controls, ultimately improving their internal environment, reduce their energy demand and lower our carbon footprint.

These improvement works form part of Sefton Council’s RetroFIT for the FUTURE project. Funding provided by England European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has enabled the scheme to deliver improved thermal efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, reduce fuel poverty and improve the aesthetic look of the homes that are benefiting from the project.

Rose Brae consists of 21 single accommodation units with shared facilities. The accommodation based support also provides customers with 24/7 access to support staff. Staff are on hand to help with a range of issues customers may be experiencing including substance misuse, addictions, entrenched rough sleeping, mental health and domestic abuse.

To support Riverside in their goal to achieve best practice facilities, the site required major upgrading. Sovini Construction was contracted to carry out refurbishment and remodelling works for the communal kitchen, laundry room, reception and bathroom as well as minor roofing works.

Originally a 15 week programme was scheduled but through innovative phasing, this was reduced to 10 weeks, minimising inconvenience to residents and staff while also creating cost savings on labour and overheads.

Works carried out:

• minor roof works including fin-lock gutter refurbishment and tiling
• flooring, including screening
• full rewire to accommodate IT systems
• walls
• plastering
• commercial kitchen install
• aids and adaptations

Sovini Construction were contracted by registered social landlord Pine Court Housing Association to enact major refurbishment works on Chung Hok House, a sheltered scheme within the heart of Liverpool City Centre. The site has 38 one and two bedroom flats of which two are adapted for the disabled. Each flat has central heating, double glazing, a door entry system and an emergency pull cord alarm.

Communal facilities include lifts, three lounges, a communal kitchen catering for special events, a laundry facility, a specially adapted bathroom for those who receive assistance and a hairdressing salon.

These refurbishment works involved Sovini Construction working closely with Pine Court Housing Association to provide ‘Dementia Friendly’ standards to the interior refurbishments.

We also incorporated stylistic choices which referenced the community in the scheme that we were serving. Sovini Construction demonstrated this commitment by sourcing bespoke window frames, decorating the hallways and lounges with bright colours to create a familiar environment to help residents navigate their way around.

Sovini Construction reduced the time scales of works to ensure it was completed in time for Chinese New Year celebrations.

Sovini Construction worked with One Vision Housing and industry professionals during the design stage of the new rain screen classing system and aluminium rail system to ensure a feasible, viable solution was installed to the existing high-rise buildings.

Upon instruction of the design and specification, Sovini Construction embarked on a 20 week project to install the new rain screen system along with new fire breaks, curtain walling and internal fire protection works.

In order to access the blocks, we designed a bespoke base of scaffold to the bottom floors and access to the upper floors using mast climbers

Sovini Construction are committed to supporting the communities we work in. To thank residents for their patience and cooperation during cladding refurbishment works, Sovini Construction held a carol concert in collaboration with Brunswick Community Centre.

All phases are now complete and meet current fire safety regulations by Building Control.

The property is located within a conservation area, so careful consideration was needed during the build to ensure the works were sympathetic to the area.

Following full consultation with the client, architects and structural engineers, work began to rectify some of the major structural issues with the property. Works included dismantling of the existing double bay to the front of the property. The bay was later rebuilt, using the original stonework from when the property was first constructed.

Under-pinning was completed to the full perimeter of the house in order to prevent further subsidence occurring. The out-rigger to the rear, which contained the kitchen, was demolished and rebuilt using new brickwork in-keeping with the original structure.

We removed the fire escape at the rear of the property and replaced it with a new compliant fire escape. We carried out extensive groundworks which included installation of new drainage and manholes.