3DReid Complete Grainger’s Apex Gardens

3DReid - Photo credit_Robert Waters
Photo credit – Robert Waters

Grainger has completed its latest build to rent scheme in Seven Sisters, North London. 3DReid were delighted to develop the design, vary the planning approval and deliver the project with the contractor; Ant Yapi.

The scheme provides 163 high quality rental homes, a range of resident amenities and flexible commercial space.

Following Planning approval, 3DReid performed a design audit for Grainger and were subsequently appointed to develop both the revised planning submission and the tender design.

The initial design audit added value through:

  • removal of the basement area
  • reduction of the overall building height
  • improving plan efficiencies with regards layout & servicing
  • reducing the plan size for all buildings
  • revisiting the delivery of the facade.

3DReid were novated and generated further value by exploring a number of different façade systems including:

  • traditional hand set bricks
  • brick slip systems
  • precast concrete with brick slips
  • GRC with brick slips

The scheme was ultimately delivered using an Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) precast panel (100mm thick) with brick slips, in comparison to a standard panel which is over 30% thicker. This ensured that whole floors were complete and weather tight following the window installation very quickly, improving the overall programme, as well as the façade depth, detail and building weight.

BIM has been used extensively on Apex Gardens to coordinate with the wider team. In addition, the model has been shared with suppliers including the structural façade brick panels (Thorp Precast).

The contractor and consultant team have used Revitzo to interrogate and comment in 4D, although 3DReid also use NavisWorks widely for clash resolution and co-ordination.

By working closely with the panel supplier and main contractor in a 4D environment, we have enabled the ease of adoption of design changes to the project.

Following the tragic events at Grenfell, the main envelope insulation was amended to Rockwool, resulting in an increased wall depth to achieve the same thermal performance. Working closely with Thorp Precast we devised a thinner wall solution and changed the building’s design to suit this new approach, assisting the contractor to incorporate a new system they had not previously adopted, all without the need to go back into planning, saving the client expense and the contractor programme delays.

As the scheme is designed as Build to Rent, the resulting BIM model will be released at completion for the client to adopt and integrate into their O&M manual, with all building fabric data retained within the model, assisting with repair and maintenance strategies and reordering of components and fittings as required.

Project data

163 new homes in a mix of tenures including 39% affordable housing, with commercial and ancillary use spaces at ground and mezzanine level.

  • Architect: 3DReid
  • Client: Grainger
  • Contractor: Ant Yapi UK
  • Design Architect / Concept Guardians: John McAslan + Partners
  • Project Managers: Arcadis
  • Structural Engineer: Alan Baxter
  • Building Services Engineer: Hoare Lea & Partners
  • MEP Consultants: The Kut Partnership, Saina
  • Planning Consultant: DP9, Gerald Eve
  • Landscape Architect: Exterior Architecture
  • Principal Designer, CDM Advisor: ORSA Projects, Cundall
  • Acoustic Consultants: Clement Acoustics
  • Cost Consultants: Core Five
  • Planning Authority: London Borough of Haringey
  • Building Control: Approved Inspector Services
  • Façade Precast Panels: Thorp Precast Ltd
  • Windows, Doors and Curtain Walls Manufacturer: Archiclad

www.3dreid.com

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