The Project
A BREEAM ‘Very Good’ residential development that achieved Code for Sustainable Homes (CFSH) Level 4, this project involved the conversion of a former police station to create 12 apartments, with a further four apartments constructed as a new build extension. The client was committed to protecting the property’s heritage while sustainably upgrading the building for future generations. Edgeley Construction delivered the project as a design and build contract constructed specifically for the rental market.
The £2.1m project, located in Clapham, involved major structural alterations to the existing Edwardian building, which was originally constructed in 1907, along with repairs to the façade to retain the heritage appearance of the property. Working in a busy urban location next door to an occupied nursery, Edgeley Construction’s management team was responsible for all pre-construction and construction. Our specialist structures team delivered all temporary works and sequencing, construction and structural alterations, while our fit-out team was responsible for all fit out works.
The Programme
The Edgeley Construction team was involved from the early stages of the project to advise on buildability and provide design development to comply with employers requirements within the budget. Issues with notifiable asbestos were recognised early so that asbestos could be safely removed, without affecting the programme.
The Edgeley Construction team negotiated the party wall agreement with the adjacent nursery, implementing out of hours working where necessary to minimise disruption for staff and children.
Major structural alterations were required to the former police station to remodel the interior for use as apartments, and align the retained façade to the change of use. This included a new waterproofing system, specified and installed by the Edgeley Construction team, to convert an existing cellar into a useable basement apartment. On the top floor, the roof beams were exposed to create additional ceiling height and enable the addition of a mezzanine.
At roof level, a new Axter waterproofing system was specified and installed by the Edgeley Construction team with a 25-year warranty, and a new tiled roof was installed, in-keeping with the original style of the building, upgrading the building envelope and adding renewable energy with PV panels. New roof terraces were created and the dormas were replaced.
Restoration and modifications to the façade formed a significant part of the project. Edgeley Construction specialist structures team repaired the original brickwork, matching the existing bricks where replacements were required. New window apertures were created to suit the new layout and change of use, and all windows were restored and upgraded.
The new extension is a four-storey building, connected to the existing property by a glazed link structure that forms an entrance for the new building, along with access to some of the apartments in the old police station. A new staircase is shared by the old and new buildings, and this had to be engineered and constructed with meticulous accuracy to allow for differences in movement between the existing structure and the extension. The Edgeley Construction team worked closely with a structural engineer to ensure the movement calculations and differences in construction for the two buildings were accurately reflected in delivery of the glazed façade and staircase elements.
Edgeley Construction specialist fit out team was also responsible for the fit out of all the apartments to a high standard suitable for the rental market. This included partitioning and drylining, all mechanical and electrical services, and internal finishes. In the former police station building, it also included retention of original features where possible, including restoration of parquet timber floors and exposure and restoration of an existing staircase.
The project also included external landscaping, including an enclosed courtyard.