Feltham
Executive Summary
Syntec Projects, a specialist ICF contractor, were appointed to build a four-storey apartment block, comprising of five two storey and 10 single storey apartments over basement parking. Alongside the apartment block there would also be a terrace of four town houses, 3 no. two storey (floor area ~100m2 each) and 1 no. three storey houses (Floor area ~120m2).
These buildings when completed were to be handed over to A2 Dominion who in turn were supplying these units to the local Borough of Hounslow Council.
Syntec were looking to provide energy efficient buildings that would ultimately benefit the end user.
Challenges
This was to be one of the first affordable rental developments to utilise ICF in the UK. Syntec Projects had two specific requirements for the development’s building method: (1) speed of construction, and (2) air-tightness. Ultimately, it was vital that the development be constructed efficiently and provide high performing dwellings for its occupiers.
How Thermohouse Helped
Due to tight site conditions Thermohouse facilitated the Syntec building programme by delivering the required components as and when required.
The basement was constructed as an in-situ shuttered, reinforced concrete wall. Thermohouse then supplied all the structural elements of the apartment block above basement, external walls, party walls and non-structural permanent shuttering panels for the concrete intermediate floors and flat roof construction. Thermohouse also supplied ICF walls blocks and energy efficient roofing panels for the housing terrace. Additionally, Thermohouse provided technical support to Syntec’s design and on-site construction team.
Featured in
“First eco-friendly social housing build for Hounslow” – An article about Development on the Building Design & Construction Magazine website.
Syntec Projects
About:
Syntec are London-based contractors and shopfitters, who work right across the new-build, refurbishment and interiors spectrum, from high-end residential to social housing and from high-street fashion to cutting-edge bars and restaurants.
| KeyPoints | |
| Location: | Feltham, Hounslow, London |
| Building Type: | Terrace of 4 houses & 4 storey apartment block + basement |
| Size: | 1,500 m2 |
| System Components: |  thermowall  thermoroof  thermofloor |
“ICF is not a new concept, far from it – self-builders in the UK have been using it for the last 40 years. It’s now coming to the forefront due to the necessity to protect the environment by reducing energy usage. With skilled labour shortages and significant increases in the cost of materials, ICF becomes the eco-friendly building product of choice as it only takes one trade to erect and relies on only three materials: Polystyrene, reinforcement and concrete.”
“In America and Northern Europe this type of housing is the norm and the tenants reap the rewards. Not only are their energy bills lower but they enjoy even temperatures with filtered air, so are generally experiencing a better quality of home than their counterparts in the UK.”
Photographs courtesy of © Syntec Projects Ltd.