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Wednesday 17th November 2010

Dukes Terrace, Liverpool


Dukes Terrace, Liverpool PictureDukes Terrace, Liverpool PictureDukes Terrace, Liverpool Picture

The Grade 2 listed derelict Dukes Terrace, Liverpool's last remaining 'back to back' housing and adjoining former merchants' houses situated at the eastern end of Duke Street, Liverpool had been in Cruden Construction ownership for several years and were sold to Maritime Housing as part of a 'package deal' which also included two other significant historic city centre sites. Following the original purchase of the site, it had always been Cruden Construction's intention to initiate a sensitive restoration of the buildings in partnership with a progressive client who placed equal value on returning the historic buildings to their former glory. In Maritime Housing Association, such a client was found.

Extensive pre design structural integrity surveys were undertaken to establish the conditions of the buildings together with specialist surveys to determine the methodology employed for the original construction. Consultation with a variety of historic building specialists including English Heritage, (who would guide and approve the designs, specification and proposed construction method), were undertaken over a period of some years. The architects were instrumental in developing the raw ideas into a scheme which would meet the restoration criteria and still remain affordable.

Construction method which blended the use of materials and techniques from the 19th century with modern design, specification and building practice were incorporated throughout the scheme. This included the use of reclaimed brick chosen to match existing and new imperial sized bricks to course in with existing brickwork, lime mortar, salvaged stone from demolition works, timber repairs, decorative feature renders, Georgian Bar timber sash windows, period design cast iron rainwater goods and extensive lead workings.

The scheme delivered 49 apartments and houses together with Liverpool city centre's first new nursery & crèche in a development of four distinct buildings - two restored blocks and two new blocks.

The new buildings were traditionally constructed using reinforced concrete strip foundations, masonry superstructure, pre-cast concrete floors and staircases and slate roofs to mirror the other buildings. The nursery/crèche block also featured selective coloured rendering to external elevations. Both timber sash windows and powder coated aluminium windows were installed throughout the new buildings with one block featuring external steel access stairways.

Internally, block wall construction was used for partitioning and each apartment was fitted out with quality kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl and carpet floor coverings and gas fired central heating using combination boilers.
The external works comprised predominantly hard landscaping – block paved access roads and car parks, ornate external lighting columns in keeping with the period look, raised seating areas and a stone capped retaining wall with replica Georgian railings broken by flagged steps from the car parks to the restored Dukes Terrace. The entrances to the restored merchant's houses from Duke Street also feature stone steps flanked by replica Georgian railings. An electronically controlled pedestrian and vehicular gated entranceway provides secure access and overnight parking for residents and their visitors.

Another interesting aspect of this project was its use in a construction lean improvement study organised in conjunction with Constructing Excellence. Cruden Construction was selected as the north west representative by Constructing Excellence to participate in the Construction Lean Improvement Programme, (CLIP) held throughout England. We chose to use CLIP to improve the management and productivity of the brick laying team on Dukes Terrace.

The process mapping was undertaken by a master engineer working with our management and the brick laying gangs to identify key issues and inefficiencies. Following the process mapping the team developed new improved methods and practices which were measured by the master engineer to provide a 7% productivity improvement.

Dukes Terrace is the first of three projects for Maritime Housing Association to sensitively restore and regenerate derelict city centre sites in Liverpool's Ropewalks conservation area. The project pilot tested partnering as a procurement method for Maritime as well as 'lean methods' for Cruden and ensured that the learning gained was transferred to the schemes which followed.

Everyone involved in the project should be rightly proud of their achievement.






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