The property
59 Colebrook Street is a historic property dating back to 1670. Originally serving as a fire station and police station for the Guild Hall, it later included a coach house in the back. However, after years of neglect, the building had become uninhabitable. The Winchester Council took on the challenge of renovating the property to provide housing for Ukrainian nationals.
Being a listed building, the property posed several challenges in terms of energy efficiency and structural integrity. It suffered from severe dampness, structural instability, rotten wooden windows with single glazing, an outdated boiler system, and ineffective insulation. These issues resulted in high energy consumption, excessive heating costs, and an overall poor living environment.
Cardo, a leading provider of high-quality building maintenance and retrofit services for social housing and public sector buildings, engaged with us to carry out the work for Winchester Council.
Our approach
Given the limitations of working on a listed building, we carefully planned and implemented solutions that would respect the historic integrity while vastly improving energy efficiency and livability
Funding for this project was made possible through a national grant from central government, covering around 65% of the renovation costs. Without this support, a smaller and less centrally located property may have been the only viable option.
Our key renovations included:
- Structural Reinforcement: A new steel beam was installed to replace a failed beam, ensuring the building’s stability.
- Extractor fans installed in all rooms.
- Enhanced Insulation:
- Loft: 150mm room-in-roof insulation, 180mm insulation in the ceiling, and 77.5mm insulated plasterboard on top-floor walls.
- Internal Walls & Floors: 50mm insulation added to stud walls, floors, and ceilings.
- Underfloor and box ceiling insulation for added thermal retention.
- Window & Door Upgrades: Replaced all single-glazed, rotten wooden windows with modern triple-glazed units.
- Damp Proofing: Applied tanking slurry to prevent moisture infiltration.
- New Heating System: Installed a new energy-efficient boiler, radiators, and a water tank.
- Ventilation Improvements: Installed extractor fans in kitchens, bathrooms, and utility rooms, along with trickle vents in the windows to improve airflow and prevent moisture buildup.
- Soundproofing: Special insulation was added to the back room to counter noise from a neighbouring pub.
The results
The transformation of 59 Colebrook Street has been remarkable. Where once stood a cold, damp, and structurally compromised building, there is now a warm, dry, and energy-efficient home. Key improvements include:
- Significant Energy Efficiency Gains: The new insulation and triple-glazed windows have drastically reduced heat loss, leading to lower energy consumption and heating costs.
- Better Living Conditions: With improved air quality, soundproofing, and ventilation, the home now provides a comfortable and safe environment.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Reduced energy consumption directly translates to lower carbon emissions, making the property more sustainable.
- Financial Savings: Energy bills have been significantly reduced, ensuring more affordable long-term living costs for future residents.
Most importantly, 59 Colebrook Street is no longer just a building; it has become a home for those in need.
The collaboration between Cardo, SCIS Group and Winchester Council has set a precedent for future renovations in the city, and plans are already in place to apply these successful strategies to other historic properties in Winchester.
“The transformation is pretty remarkable. The house is now warm, dry and energy efficient thanks to the improved insulation and glazing.
SCIS overall have been fantastic from start to finish. Well organised, well orchestrated and in general just a pleasure to work with.”
Mitchell Cowan, Corporate Building Technician
Winchester City Council
