Latest Developments
Gloucester Terrace
This contract was a refurbishment of a duplex apartment arranged over the ground and first floors of a five storey listed building.
The refurbishment was to exacting standards, using high quality fixtures and fittings.
Given the location, the brief was for a high quality, high tech contemporary internal design and finish. Bespoke hardwood joinery, walnut floors, limestone cladding, large areas of glass and chrome were features of this apartment.
It is situated in a very busy location, being sandwiched by occupied premises, which produced many challenges that had to be overcome.
It proved to be a very successful project, the client being very happy with the quality of the final product, which was also completed in line with the initial programme.
Percival Street
The role was to design and construct 20 residential units with a community centre at the ground floor level.
This scheme was designed with the environment in mind and a good example of practical application of Modern Methods of Construction.
While it is designed to compliment the existing surrounding red brick high rise buildings, this very contemporary building incorporates energy efficient services (renewables) which obtained an EcoHomes ‘excellent’ rating.
The foundations were deep concrete piles formed with a CFA rig to minimise vibration and disturbance to the neighbouring properties.
The services included the use of solar panels for heating the hot water and a rainwater harvesting system.
External walls were created using high performance structural insulated panels (commonly known as SIPS) with high performance cladding in various colours. The use of SIPS not only gave us time and energy benefits but also the benefit of little waste due to the off site manufacturing process.
Another feature of the contemporary design was the use of ‘reglit’ glazing at ground floor level to the Community Centre, which gave simplicity and versatility with the use of natural light.
With the accommodation spread over seven floors, the scheme incorporated an eight person lift.
This site is a striking example of how a contemporary designed building can blend well with London’s more traditional buildings.
Bartholomew Road
The project involved demolishing a run down building and erecting a concrete frame building consisting of 14 residential flats over five floors.
This was a extremely restricted and difficult site with all the usual challenges of inner city development that required meticulous planning.
The structure is a flat slab RC frame with mainly facing brick external walls with relief panel rendering and cladding.
The large windows and doors ad powder coated aluminium complete with Juliet balconies.
The project features innovative design with many modern methods of construction (MMC); An example of this is the external Prodema Panelling. A highly durable, resistant material that is ideally suited to exterior cladding.
Another unusual feature is the Gabion retaining wall to the rear of the property. The free draining walls give a natural stone appearance with flexibility and make them a eco-friendly erosion management system.
South Island Place
The demolition of a redundant library building, and the design and construction of 19 no. 1, 2 & 3 bedroom.
This was an extremely restricted site with all the challenges of inner city development. The building was constructed with load bearing masonry on traditional strip foundations with concrete plank floors, and finished with decorative self coloured render and facing bricks.
To enhance the contemporary design the roof covering is plastic coated energy efficient composite system, the windows are powder coated aluminium and the balconies galvanised steel.
The scheme includes highly energy efficient mechanical and electrical installations, and achieved an Eco-Homes rating of ‘Very Good’.
Epsom Road
Sibmar was responsible for the design and construction of 12no 3 storey houses replacing the existing Day Nursery.
The biggest challenge on this design and build development was having to work within a small site surrounded by 80-year-old protected trees.
These houses had to be built as ecologically sound dwellings that are comfortable, exciting and perform exceptionally well in terms of energy efficiency.
Specialist 'pile and beam' foundations were designed around the surrounding tree roots to ensure minimal disturbance to the trees. With careful planning and diligent action being essential, we erected highly insulated timber framed properties with a specialist cladding system, traditional slate roof coverings, and powder coated aluminium windows.
This project is a good example of the practical applications of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). the scheme was designed and built with the environment in mind, as the vast majority of materials used were from sustainable sources.
Whitgift Street
This design and build of a 6 storey block of 18 number 1 & 2 bedroom apartments.
Due to the extremely restricted nature of the site and the close proximity to the main line railway, well planned and innovative site processes are a strong feature of this project.
The structure is a 'flat slab' reinforced concrete frame with pre-insulated aluminium framed panels internally, with facing brickwork and render relief panels externally. The piled foundations were formed with a CFA rig in order to reduce vibration and disturbance to the neighbouring properties.
The windows have been designed to a particular high level of efficiency in terms of sound and thermal insulation, due to the exposed location of the building.
Ambler Primary School
Sibmar was responsible for the construction of a new children’s centre and phased major improvements to the existing school building.
The phased works to the existing school consisted of major alteration and improvement works. The new building is timber frame construction on piled and beam foundations. The highly insulated cedar clad structure has low windows, large sliding glazed doors with level thresholds. North facing roof lights ensure natural light penetration into the internal spaces without glare. The heated floor is generally covered with natural eco-friendly marmoleum and additionally cushioned in the baby area to protect vulnerable crawling knees.
Much of the work was carried out whilst the school was operational. This presented many challenges such as maintaining services and ensuring minimal disruption to staff & pupils. Not to mention the obvious overriding health & safety considerations.
The Children’s Centre was recently short listed for the Partners in Excellence Award.
Sakura Drive N22 (Formerly Albert Close)
This design and construction of 8 number, 2 bedroom family houses is an extremely modern, eco friendly development and incorporates many examples of what are now termed modern methods of construction.
The ground floor structure is a combination of steel frame and masonry, whilst the upper levels are a steel frame with timber infill, finished with cedar cladding. In order to achieve extremely good thermal values the latest hi tech insulation materials were used throughout, as well as Swedish composite timber and powder coated aluminium windows. The unusual design was borne out of the desire to minimise the impact of the development on the adjacent properties, whilst still fully utilising the available space.
A testament to the success of this ‘shared ownership’ project was the fact that all of the houses were sold or reserved prior to completion.
Dunedin Road
This design and build project comprised of two, three storey, five bedroom, semi detached family houses.
The biggest challenge on this small but attractive development was the diversion of the main sewer to the rear of the property. This was carried out in conjunction with the build programme, under the supervision of Thames Water. The houses were built using traditional cavity wall construction with decorative brickwork and feature relief rendered panels. By using a mansard roof incorporating the third floor, the area of permitted development was fully utilised.
One of the many additional requirements on this project was the ‘Secured by Design’ accreditation. This was achieved by thorough consultation with the local police force and the introduction of high security measures such as PAS 24 doors.