Meeting the remediation challenge at St. George’s Island

Following the discovery of combustible cladding and insulation, Easton Bevins produced a specification for the repairs, oversaw the tender process, and managed the Building Safety Fund application process on behalf of leaseholders. Easton Bevins was then appointed to manage the remediation project. 

Easton Bevins Building Surveyor, Harvey Cross, said: “We selected the Rockpanel Alder product as it replicated the appearance of the original timber cladding while providing the non-combustible properties required by building regulations. We worked closely with Manchester City Council and our client when selecting the colour and appearance of the materials so that they fitted in with the surrounding Castlefield Conservation Area.” 

Starfish Construction is a nationwide, multi-faceted building envelope construction group. Appointed as the principal contractor for the St. George’s Island project, Starfish Construction was responsible for the complete building envelope remediation, including the installation of the Rockpanel façades. 

Winning the confidence of stakeholders 

Rockpanel Area Manager, Christine Rees Davies, said: “Following an initial enquiry, I made several visits to the location, attending meetings with Easton Bevins and residents, constructing a large sample rig of the installation to demonstrate how it would work and look, and participating in a competitive presentation to successfully convince both the specifier and residents that Rockpanel was the superior choice.” 

Around 6,000m² of Alder from our natural woods collection was installed as façades, with a similar amount of RAL colour-matched pure white used for the soffits. The unrivalled choice of surface designs Rockpanel offers means we are able to match almost any existing façade, which speeds up and simplifies the planning approval process.

Scope, safety and sustainability 

The scope of work included the removal of the entire existing timber cladding, soffit system, and tiling, replacing each element to create a regulation-compliant, non-combustible façade. This helped ensure the safety of approximately 500 residents and leaseholders, as well as the longevity and sustainability of the buildings. 

The materials and methods used on this project comply with those set out by the Building Safety Act. The reporting and project documentation provide an effective record for the Golden Thread, the continuous digital record of a building’s design, construction, and maintenance, helping to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and traceability. 

Christine Rees Davies said: “Rockpanel gains inherent non-combustibility from its core of stone wool, a naturally occurring consequence of volcanic activity. Its versatility, ease of installation, durability, and long product life also testify to Rockpanel’s popularity for new-build and renovation projects across all sectors.” 

Welcoming recognition from Homes England 

The project and scale of operation garnered attention from the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, Homes England, resulting in two site visits. Together with partners, the Homes England initiative aims to accelerate the pace of housebuilding and regeneration across the country, delivering homes that people are proud to live in. 

Resident liaison, communication and engagement 

Any project where the building continues to be occupied brings complexity and challenges. The Starfish Construction Resident Liaison Team was at the forefront of efforts to ensure residents were informed, engaged, and heard. 

The Starfish Construction Resident Liaison Hub, an online project portal, delivered seamless, accessible, real-time project information, progress updates, and essential announcements to all stakeholders throughout the project. 

Starfish Construction Director of London and South Hub, Adam Denton-Beaumont, said: “The project sets a new standard for façade remediation and continues our leadership in creating safer, greener buildings for the future.”