INCA Case Study: Limehouse West, Tower Hamlets

Limehouse West EWI Upgrade

Limehouse West is a residential development built by Bellway Homes in 1998 and is a prominent feature of London’s Limehouse Basin. It comprises of Berglen Court and Medland House estate, totalling 262 apartments over 9 low to medium rise buildings.

Retrofit were appointed by Beckford contractors to upgrade the existing external wall insulation to fall in line with current fire safety regulations whilst maintaining the thermal insulation value. Their scope of works included removing the existing EPS cavity rail system and redundant associated fire stopping from the masonry areas to 4 no. blocks and replacing with the K-system’s 110mm mineral fibre external wall insulation silicone 1.5mm TC15 decorative finish external wall insulation adhesive and mechanically fixed system.

Retrofit were also tasked with removing the existing metal honeycomb rainscreen cladding to 3 elevations over 3 blocks. They also designed and installed a lightweight steel frame support structure along with fire stopping and sheathing board, to support the new EWI system and replaced with a panelised effect rendered EWI system, along with replacement aluminium PPC trims, flashings & sills.

One of the main challenges was meeting the client’s expectations for a rainscreen panel effect finish to three standalone elevations, using a traditional 1.5mm textured white finish. As the rainscreen details were visible from ground level, utilising tape joints as previously installed on similar projects would not have been a suitable solution. Retrofit achieved the desired effect with stop beads and black mastic sealant, providing a crisp finish with clean lines, with the client being delighted by the result.

Challenges delivering the project involved carrying out the works in close proximity to Limehouse Basin which meant implementing and maintaining high environmental standards to ensure that no materials entered the water. Additionally carrying out works with blocks in full occupation during challenges brought about by COVID and amid rising material & labour costs and labour shortages.