Empire View & Gantry Court
Delivered for VIVID Homes
Project introduction
Lawtech successfully completed the removal and replacement of EWI and brickwork at Empire View & Gantry Court, nine-storey residential blocks.
Façade Solution
Removal of existing cladding system and 1,754m2 of brickwork back to substrate.
Supply and installation of fire-retardant insulation materials.
Supply and installation of fire-retardant cladding system to achieve a brand-new aesthetic - including creating/submitting planning applications in-house.
Removal and re-instatement of Juliet balconies to allow works to be completed at fixing locations.
Removal of existing balcony decking and replaced with an AliDeck system.
Resident Liaison
Pre-Commencement
The RLO (Resident Liaison Officer) team undertook pre-commencement surveys and communicated with residents throughout. Prior to the works, residents received literature such as 'A Guide to Cladding Works - FAQ' which was tailored to the project. The site office was situated on the first floor of Empire View, ensuring the RLO was on-site throughout.
Special Circumstances
Regarding remediation works to the balconies, the RLO communicated with residents at least one week in advance to warn them of the need to lock balcony doors to prevent unauthorised access. One resident expressed concerns about keeping doors closed, as their partner had terminal lung cancer, and they tended to keep doors open to assist with their breathing. Our RLO and site manager visited their property to provide reassurance, and managed to find a way to restrict the door enough to prevent scaffold access, while allowing airflow into the property.
Feedback
Residents were encouraged to complete feedback forms as the works draw to a close. One resident commended the 'great service' from Lawtech's RLO, and appreciated that they were 'always happy to help'.
Social Value Impact
Delivering social value means creating measurable positive impacts on local communities by integrating ethical business practices, supporting community initiatives, and enhancing social well-being.
Art Competition
One of the social value initiatives for this project was an art competition for resident children. This was split into three age groups: 3-5, 6-10, 11-16. We asked the children to draw their ideal holiday, and winners were selected before the end of the summer holidays. There was one winner per age group, each winning an art set which was hand delivered to their homes. Winning entries were printed in the September newsletter. The winner in the age 11-16 group drew the block, explaining that they wanted to stay home and spend time with family and friends.
Christmas Donations
During the Christmas period in 2022, we donated food vouchers to a charity local to Empire View & Gantry Court that supports young families. £250 of Tesco and Asda vouchers were donated; the company contributed £150, and the rest was donated by staff across the southern region.
