Project Details

Axis Europe was employed by Westminster City Council to deliver their flagship retrofit roofing project at Warwick Low-rise Estate. Our role was to manage the project from its inception, which included delivering the installation of photovoltaic panels, alongside associated works. Warwick Estate comprises of nine residential blocks located close to Little Venice, just a short walk from Paddington Station in the borough of Westminster.

From start to finish, the project ran smoothly. We showcased our ability to deliver vital retrofit projects, helping our clients meet their sustainability targets. Westminster City Council is committed to becoming a carbon neutral Council by 2030, and as a city by 2040. This fits our own targets, as we look to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and becoming a net zero company by 2050.

Axis worked alongside our partners at Bauder who produced the BauderSolar technology implemented in these works. They also attended the site regularly for quality and performance inspections with our on-site team. The works within this project were grant funded, which means the residents at Warwick Estate have seen no cost for the installation. All stakeholders are delighted with the works, which were delivered on schedule. Axis Europe is proud to have been given the opportunity to work on this future-proofing retrofit programme, to deliver gold standard works that will continue to help our clients and residents for years to come.

To begin the programme of works, our team installed independent scaffolding towers over communal block entrances. We erected these at either the front or rear elevation depending on the location of the internal Electrical Intake Cupboard (EIC). These were required during the electrical preparatory works, for fixing the cable and trunking to the façade of the building. Our team ran an armoured cable from the roof level isolator, down the façade of the building entering through the brickwork to the EIC. The cables are contained within galvanised square ducting on the external façade of the blocks.

The Bauder PV systems are extremely quick to install. They provide a cost-effective and highly efficient solution for retrofit works. As soon as the panels arrived on-site, our team erected a goods only hoist in suitable locations for each block. We were able to transport all necessary materials to roof level as well as remove waste. Our installation team accessed each property’s roof via Haki staircases, constructed prior to the works. With the panels safely raised to roof level, we began the swift installation and connection process. The team placed each panel on its individual mount which then clicked into place.

Residents

Resident care is a key focus for Axis. We always maintain a close relationship to the communities in which we work by providing the best service for tenants, residents, and leaseholders. That’s why we’re a proud member of Tpas. As the properties on Warwick estate were all occupied during the programme of works, it was vital that Axis communicated effectively. The onsite team were careful not to disrupt residents throughout the process, but keeping them safe was always our top priority. Our team provided all of the relevant information that residents needed. This included the clear explanation of the schedule of works with timings for specific blocks, as well as describing the many benefits of retrofitting.

Sustainability of Retrofit Works

Sustainability is at the heart of projects like this, and Axis want to be part of the solution by facilitating and implementing carbon reduction plans on a large scale, that provide sources of renewable energy in a cost-effective manner.

Ultimately, the reduction in carbon emissions at Warwick Low-rise Estate is 55,000kg per annum. The PV array system will generate 290,000kWh per year, while an average household uses 2,900kWh per year. That means these panels can provide electricity for 100 households every year. Prior to the project Westminster City Council had PV panels installed on 57 blocks (9% of their entire stock) which was generating a total solar output of 446kWp. The system we installed at Warwick has significantly improved the overall output: The total output across all nine blocks in this scheme is circa 300kWp. This represents an increase of approximately 67% across the entire borough from this project alone.

For residents living at Warwick Estate, this is a massive reduction in their service charge bills. The energy produced by the PV panels will power communal lighting and communal power systems for years to come, providing a future-proofed solution for Westminster.

Find more of our housing projects, here.