Refurbishment of 21 retirement bungalows and a community lounge in Benllech.
Westdale was appointed by IOACC following a competitive tender to deliver a comprehensive external refurbishment of these elderly residential bungalows and the community lounge.
The residents had a number of access requirements and additional needs, many of which are age related. We worked closely with the residents to ensure they could cope with the inevitable disruption of having work done to their home. Wherever possible, we kept disruption to a minimum and updated residents with our progress. We provided additional support, such as moving furniture for them to allow the window replacements and talked them through changing door locks and window handles.
Key Challenges
The challenge was not only to repair, renew and upgrade various external elements, but to also improve the architectural aesthetic of bungalows so that they contributed more positively to the streetscape.
Working closely with the client, Westdale proposed various technical and architectural solutions until a final specification was agreed upon for the environmental works, with wheelchair access ramps and key clamp hand rails common features.
The first key challenge was to co-ordinate activity around the elderly residents who lived in the flats and who shared communal access. Our full time dedicated Resident Liaison Officer was key in managing the interface between the needs of residents and necessities of the works
ArtBrick
Artbrick was used extensively during the scheme for both practical and aesthetic purposes. Used at low level, Artbrick reduces the effects of weathering on renders positioned close to the ground. Artbrick is also more easily repaired should vandalism or accidental damage occur. At Benllech, ArtBrick was used as a design principle to provide features on the bungalows, modernising the appearance and aesthetics.
