CASE STUDIES

In 2017, Cardiff University unveiled plans to build three brand-new buildings which would create a modern and innovative workspace with cutting edge facilities for researchers, students and startup businesses.At the heart of Cardiff Innovation Campus (CIC) is the Innovation Centre building which will bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders, academics and students – creating a unified and progressive environment to work and learn.Within the multi-million pound, 12,000m² building, there will be 2,800m² of commercial units for spin outs and start-ups, including 500m² of commercial wet lab space.

Completed in 2016, The Woodsman’s Treehouse is a unique property set high up in the branches of a 200-year-old oak tree in Dorset.This high spec woodland retreat was awarded the RIBA SW award and named RIBA SW ‘Small Project of the Year’ as well as being shortlisted for The Wood Awards, The Blueprint Awards and the Grand Designs/RIBA House of the Year.The fantastic property is six metres tall and sits 30 feet up in the trees. The luxurious self-catering accommodation boasts a circular, open plan living area with a rotating wood burner, high spec kitchen and roll top bath. Outside, there is a picnic area complete with wood fired pizza oven and barbeque, outdoor tree shower and a spiral staircase up to the top floor, where there is a hot tub and sauna.The treehouse has two levels which are accessed by a wooden rope bridge and which can be exited via a stainless steel slide, for those wanting to bring out their inner child!The structure supporting the building is fitted into the ground with metal screw piles which go five metres into the ground and the build is completely sustainable. The structure doesn’t touch the veteran oak tree at all, so rainwater can run down the stems and wildlife can travel up and down in the normal way, maintaining the delicate ecosystem of the tree.The treehouse also appeared on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, which you can watch here.

Nick, an experienced loft converter in Norwich, needed a cost-effective solution for insulating his client’s loft conversion. Nick was subject to current building regulations which require a u-value of 0.18 in the roof.

Built-in 1871 as a police station with four cells and accommodation for the constable and his family.This imposing Grade II Listed property has been renovated to combine the best of traditional materials and craftsmanship, with new technologies.

Recently, Herefordshire Housing Association, part of Connexus, announced plans of a five year project with the aim of improving the energy efficiency levels of its entire housing stock, which includes over 500 Cornish type houses across Herefordshire.Many of these homes were built between 1946 and the 1960’s as a ‘temporary’ solution to the post-war housing crisis and they are easily recognised because of their distinctive Mansard roof structure. While they were intended to be temporary, these Cornish-type homes are still inhabited by thousands of people across the country.Herefordshire Housing Association have invested £3.5 million over 5 years to increase energy efficiency in their existing properties.

Stuart, a builder based in Nottingham, had been planning his garage conversion but was unable to find insulation that suited his needs.He had been given solutions for traditional PIR boards, but he found these too bulky, taking away too much depth on the walls. On top of this, Stuart did not want to use PIR boards due to the fact they were a pain to install, created a huge mess and produced lots of wastage.