Benedict Road, Arbroath

Hillcrest HA appointed KDM to undertake a feasibility study for three existing blocks of flats in Arbroath, which were identified as "hard to let ". The main reasons for this were seen as the cost of heating buildings built in the 1960/1970's with no insulation in the walls/ ground floor and windows. Various ideas were put forward, which included a major external thermal re-cladding exercise and a proposal for complete demolition and replacement with new build housing.

The re-cladding option comprised of an insulated render system with various finishes to provide visual variety, highly efficient replacement windows and external doors, enclosed sunspaces which would have provided a secondary heating source through solar gain to the lounge and dining areas.

The existing double glazed timber framed windows had been replaced to high performance upvc framed fully reversible double-glazed windows. The existing original timber doors to the balconies were replaced with new timber doorframe.

In the attic spaces of the blocks the existing thick insulation between the joists which was still fit for purpose was overlaid with a thick layer of mineral wool insulation.

Location / Arbroath
Client / Hillcrest Housing Association
Status / Completion May 2019
Sector / Residential