Defining the refurbishment sector
By Matt Nash , Gunning London Business Development Manager
The refurbishment sector is simultaneously more connected and more separated than people realise . There are commercial properties , covering retail , leisure , healthcare , and office work , and residential properties that are private or social . Then the works needed differ for every project . Whether it ’ s window and door repair , façade cleaning , fire proofing or interior improvements , pragmatism is key . Simultaneously though , the best companies consider all aspects of the building . Interior designs should match the building ’ s purpose , the exterior should fit with its surrounding environment , and fire safety and sustainability should be at the forefront of all plans . With reference to some of our own projects , I will map out three key areas of the industry , external restorations , safety improvements and interior improvements , to illustrate these two concurrent points .
RESTORING BEAUTY
They say it ’ s what ’ s on the inside that counts . But a building ’ s exterior is a far cry from the front cover of a book . It ’ s a window into the structure ’ s origins , an ever-present , while the interior is remoulded to suit its purpose and occupants . For heritage buildings in particular , the task is not one of ripping up and starting again , but one of understanding . The contractor must maintain and restore a building ’ s original beauty whilst ensuring it is functional and safe .
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Take our work at Brendon and Treborough House , where the building was approaching a state of disrepair having been previously refurbished using poorly matched bricks and mortar . We placed great impetus on our brick and mortar selection and undertook a thorough cleaning and renovation process which restored the striking contrast between the red bricks and the white gables .
On a more functional level , roofing works saw lead and slate repair and the implementation of a liquid roofing & waterproofing system . This , along with window and door replacement , has helped bring the building ’ s performance into the modern day so it can remain a stunning symbol of West London ’ s architecture for years to come .
IMPROVING BUILDING SAFETY
In all buildings , safety is paramount . The Grenfell tragedy and the subsequent Hackett Review have rightly put fire safety at the top of the agenda and fire door / fire proofing projects are only increasing .
We recently completed a project at the Highgate Mental Health Centre to ensure the building met FRA regulations and limited potential fire spread . As a high-risk area , great impetus was placed on careful planning to ensure patients , hospital staff and our employees remained safe . This , in a sense , is a microcosm of the refurbishment industry itself . Whilst projects involving fire door installation are increasingly regular , there is no universal approach or guide to follow . Instead , contractors must approach their task pragmatically and come up with unique solutions .
INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS
No building is complete without a safe , warm and comfortable interior . Office spaces in particular are often drab and tired , but with the right company they can be transformed into bright and vibrant working environments .
We delivered internal refurbishments and lighting upgrades to the University of London ’ s Stewart House . New carpets delineated walkways and workspaces and improved accessibility for the visually impaired , while the old carpets were recycled ; Dulux Diamond Matt paint was chosen for the walls due to its durability and environmental qualities ; and energy saving LED lights replaced halogen lights , creating a much brighter space while consuming significantly less energy .
There are so many elements to this industry – exterior , interior , safety , sustainability , to name but a few – but the key to success , particularly in this day and age , is seeing the links between these . Thinking broadly about the building as a whole and how it will fit into its surrounding environment is crucial to success , and a key focus for us here at Gunning London .
www . tgunning . co . uk