22nd April 2010: The design team and technology installers assemble

On the 22nd April the design team and installers met at the property with the resident to carry out further feasibility surveys.

Having all contractors together on site proved to be a very valuable exercise enabling the different specialists to discuss how their equipment would fit together, timings for works and allocation of responsibility for each part of the project. For example the external wall insulation company were able to discuss with the thermodynamic solar energy supplier how the panels could be fixed to the external wall through the insulated wall system and where to locate pipe-runs. Opportunities were identified to reduce the amount of visible pipe-work and co-ordinate the two work programmes saving time as the project develops.

All the works will take place with the resident in-situ. It is recognised that this will be disruptive especially elements such as insulating the floor and some of the internal walls. Throughout the project the resident has been kept fully informed of the proposed works. The day gave her opportunity to meet the different contractors, highlight her concerns and input into the specification for different elements of the works, e.g what window finishes she would like.

Difficult issues such as temporary sanitation and cooking facilities and protection of personal belongings were discussed and solutions reached with full cooperation of the resident.

The team is now moving rapidly forward with the detailed specifications, and works programme.