Details
Location: Greenock, Strathclyde
Brick Manufacturer: Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC
Brick Name: Sterling Grey
Architect: Stallan Brand
Brickwork Contractor: McTaggart Construction
About the project
The Ravenscraig project was a joint endeavour between McTaggart Construction and the Link Group. It caters to various age groups and community housing needs. The development comprises 198 homes, including two and three-storey terraced houses, cottage flats, and bungalows, all designed to meet HfVN standards. Among them are 20 wheelchair-accessible homes.
The project offers a range of housing options, from starter homes to units tailored to support older residents and those with additional needs, each boasting a private garden area. Utilising the existing landscape, the development forms a network of neighbourhoods, with clusters of 20-30 homes connected by two main roads.
The development is designed to achieve Bronze level under Section 7 (Sustainability) of the 2017 Building Standards. It is also designed to achieve Silver Level Aspect 1 & 2 under Section 7 (Sustainability) in accordance with funding requirements. The project was also required to achieve a 15% carbon emissions abatement using Low and Zero Carbon Generating Technologies (LZCGT).
Their focus was to develop an enhanced fabric strategy through increased levels of insulation to minimise heat loss. Thermal modelling and renewables enabled them to optimise the proposed strategy to achieve Silver level Aspect 1 & 2 under Section 7 (Sustainability) of the 2017 Building Standards.
Seventy-eight properties will be available for social rent managed by Larkfield Housing Association, on Link’s behalf, whilst Oak Tree Housing Association will acquire 71 homes for social rent on completion of the development.
With insulation proposed to the outside of the timber frame creating deep reveals to openings, they were required to undertake a bespoke thermal modelling exercise to assess the thermal performance of all construction details. This resulted in a significant reduction in the heat loss associated with thermal bridging, enabling them to accurately account for fabric performance, which reduced the reliance on renewables.
The site supported more than 120 hours of training and development of skills for school and college students and the developers say it ’achieved £3.6 million in social value’.
Additional services provided by Carbon Futures included Approved Certifier of Design (Energy) certification, Building Regulation Compliance through the provision of SAP Calculations and provision of Energy Performance Certification.
This will be achieved by using enhanced fabric performance, a mixture of Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (DMEV) and Centralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (CMEV) and Photovoltaic Panels (PV).
Preserving key routes, the project incorporates pedestrian and cycle trails, establishing a direct link with the Greenock Cut, a renowned walkway within the Clyde Muirsheil National Park. Notably, the area at the Pennyfern entrance, previously plagued by localised flooding and marshland, has been rejuvenated into open space, complete with viewpoints and disabled access.
Ravenscraig showcases the prominent use of Michelmersh’s Blockleys Sterling Grey brick, lending a distinctively modern aesthetic to the vicinity. Their prominent use harmonises well with other bricks used on site, while a 50/50 split over the houses creates spacious segregation amongst the housing ”clusters”, this divide also sits well within the site’s woodland surroundings.
Sponsored by Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC
As Britain’s Brick Specialists, Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC unites the best in clay traditions. The Group represents seven of the most recognised premium brands across the UK and Europe: Blockleys, Carlton, Charnwood, Floren.be, Freshfield Lane, Hathern Terra Cotta and Michelmersh, producing over 125 million handmade and machine-made clay bricks and pavers annually. Using modernised production methods that emphasise sustainable building solutions and adhere to the most stringent production requirements, Michelmersh guarantees high quality product standards with a low ecological footprint.
