Retrofit Design & Coordination for 33 properties in Monmouthshire, Wales

Client: Monmouthshire Housing Association

Project Value: £1,650,000

Properties: 33 total (14 flats, 18 bungalows, 1 house)

Timeline: Sept 2024 – May 2025

Location: St Mary's Place, Portskewett, Monmouthshire, NP26 5UD

Our Services: Retrofit Design, Retrofit Coordination, Measured Survey incl. LiDAR & Drone Survey

Funding Route: ORP (Optimised Retrofit Programme)

How We Got Started

We were appointed by Monmouthshire Housing Association to deliver retrofit design, coordination and survey services across a diverse group of 33 homes at St Mary’s Place. With four distinct property archetypes including two blocks of flats, a detached house, and both traditional and system-built terraced bungalows, the project required a bespoke approach tailored to each construction type.

We began by reviewing the information provided by the client and supplementing it with a full suite of site investigations, including cavity assessments, drone and LiDAR scans, structural reviews, and a detailed resident needs analysis. This layered approach gave us a full understanding of the technical and logistical challenges ahead, while also providing a solid evidence base for informed design decisions, something especially important in a project with a variety of typologies.

The Challenges & Our Solutions

Complex Construction Profiles

Each property presented unique challenges based on its construction. The system-built bungalows and Wimpey No-Fines builds required careful analysis to understand how best to introduce external wall insulation without introducing unintended risks like condensation or cold bridging.

Our technical team worked closely with Wetherby Wall Systems Ltd and structural engineers to evaluate each building and match the most appropriate insulation system to each archetype:

• Flats: Rockwool insulation was chosen primarily for its superior fire-rating, addressing significant safety concerns that made other systems unsuitable.

• Bungalows – Type 1: Constructed using the Wimpey No-fines method, these properties required PIR insulation to accommodate exposure zones and technical challenges such as low-lying roofs and space limitations.

• Bungalows – Type 2: EPS insulation was selected as the most effective solution based on exposure zone assessments.

• House: To prevent moisture ingress caused by wind-driven rain, EPS insulation was specified as the optimal choice.

St Mary's before:

Designing for Practicality

With such a broad scope of property types and insulation methods, close collaboration with the installation teams was essential. We ensured that all detailing was well understood and practically achievable on site, particularly in areas with roof extensions, SVPs, rainwater goods, and low-level detailing.

Maintaining a Cohesive Aesthetic

To create a unified finish across the estate, we specified a consistent mineral render across all property types delivering thermal performance without compromising on appearance.

Resident Engagement

Working within a residential community meant regular and transparent communication was vital. We facilitated site meetings with local authorities and tenants to ensure residents were informed, their concerns addressed, and the wider benefits of retrofit measures clearly communicated.

Final Outcome & Client Feedback

The project at St Mary’s Place was delivered on time and in line with all PAS 2035 requirements, with each property receiving a tailored specification that reflected its construction type and technical needs. The collaborative approach taken throughout ensured smooth coordination between the client, suppliers, and delivery teams.

Monmouthshire Housing Association expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the clarity of our design process, our responsiveness to on-site challenges, and the quality of communication with residents. The estate now benefits from improved energy performance, enhanced comfort, and a cohesive, upgraded appearance.

The central courtyard at St Marys after completion