Finavon Street, Dundee
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Summary
Delivering modern energy-efficient homes
Robertson Partnership Homes has redeveloped the Fintry housing estate in Dundee to create 60 new homes to enhance affordable housing in the area.
Tying in with the wider regeneration of Dundee and Tayside, we raised the profile of the area and improved the existing urban realm for the local community in the Fintry housing estate.
The project was procured through the Scape Major Works Scotland framework, part of the National Construction framework. Scape Group is a public sector owned built environment specialist offering a full suite of national frameworks and innovative design solutions.
Reducing fuel poverty through sustainable design
The homes were designed with a focus on lowering energy bills for residents and reducing the issue of fuel poverty in the community. It also supports the broader goal of decreasing carbon dioxide emissions .
The design team took a 'fabric first' approach. Optimising the performance of the external building fabric through enhanced insulation to walls, floors, roofs and windows combined with good airtightness and thermal bridging values, significantly reduced the space heating demand. Other energy-efficient features included efficient heating systems and a robust ventilation strategy.
Meeting local needs through effective urban design
We held a community consultation along with our architects, Barton Wilmore, to ensure that local requirements were met. Following this, certain changes were made to our design including:
- variation to the housing mix to include fewer single bedroom flats;
- relocation to reduce potential overshadowing;
- increase in private gardens;
- amended parking arrangements;
- inclusion of driveways to all homes;
- and increased privacy through additional planting along shared boundaries.
Maximising community benefits
We engage with the community through the CCS Big Build competition which involves recreating inspirational buildings or landmarks while considering and respecting the environment. The children who take part in the Big Build are also able to learn about the factors involved in the building process. After many visits to the Law Hill monument in Dundee, eight autistic pupils were inspired to recreate the historic landmark.
We have greatly increased the employability of local young people by offering workshops, university projects, apprenticeships and courses. We managed to successfully deliver these school and college workshops to 795 pupils exceeding target of 225, as well as providing 89 weeks of apprenticeships.
This project won a Considerate Constructors' Scheme Silver award in 2019, recognising that we care about appearance, respect the community, protect the environment, secure everyone's safety, and value our workforce.
