In our latest Liversage Trust almshouses refurbishment update, work is progressing across Phase 1 of the Grade II listed buildings on London Road, Derby.
The past few weeks have highlighted one of the biggest challenges of working with a building of this age and significance: balancing conservation and preservation with the practical requirements of creating modern, comfortable homes for future residents.
Progress is not always straightforward. Decisions about historic fabric need to be carefully considered and agreed, and there are occasions when work cannot continue as originally programmed while conservation queries are resolved. From a construction perspective, this can be frustrating, particularly when different elements of the programme depend on those decisions.
However, despite those challenges, it feels as though Phase 1 has turned a corner. The new layouts are beginning to emerge, structural work is progressing and the first home in Block C is now ready to move towards second fix.
Block C: first home reaches second fix stage
One of the most significant milestones is in Block C, where the first home has now been plastered following completion of the first fix. Pipework, electrical cabling and ventilation ducting are all in place, making this the first home on the project ready to progress to second fix.
Externally, the chimney works have also moved forward. One chimney stack has been rebuilt to match the profile and measurements of the original, while the other two stacks have been repaired, reflounched and repointed.
Brickwork repairs are underway across the block. Around 200 bricks have been identified as crumbling or beyond repair these will be removed and replaced one by one using reclaimed bricks, while those that can be retained will be repaired.
Progress on the reroofing has been slower, with outstanding conservation queries needing to be resolved before this element of the work can move forward.
Major structural progress in Block A
There has also been significant progress in Block A, which forms part of the original almshouses facing London Road. All structural steels are in, floors have been opened up where required for the new staircases, and the timber stair trimmers have been installed.
Three staircases that needed to be removed have now gone, with the floors above put in. New staircases will be installed as part of the revised layouts, while some of the original staircases will remain within the building, boxed in rather than removed, preserving more of the historic fabric.
Work is also continuing to prepare the external walls for their thermal upgrade. The old render is being removed from the internal external walls preparing for damp-proofing works.
The approach to the original door frames demonstrates the level of conservation involved throughout the project. The frames cannot simply be replaced where deterioration is found. Instead, rotten sections are carefully cut out and replicated to the exact original profile before the new section is fitted back into the existing frame, retaining as much original material as possible.
Work moves into Block B
Strip-out is continuing in Block B and scaffolding has now been erected to allow roof investigations to begin. Structural steelwork is underway and openings have been formed between the homes that are being combined as part of the new layouts.
Under the original programme, work would not yet have progressed this far into Block B. However, delays elsewhere while conservation matters are resolved have meant the team has moved onto areas where work can continue rather than allowing progress on site to stall.
Despite the challenges, there is a real sense that the project has turned a corner. The new layouts are taking shape, the first home is ready for second fix and, for the first time, we can get a real sense of what the completed homes will be like.
There is still a long way to go, but Phase 1 is now moving along nicely.
If you have a project that you would like to discuss with us, contact: Martyn on 07971 899 646 or email info@allsoppconstruction.co.uk
