No.1 Project

Introduction

The original idea of no.1 was the most ambitious project LATCH had attempted in its history. The plan was to recruit six young people who were homeless or in housing need and work with them to redesign and renovate a large semi-derelict Victorian building at number 1, Leoplold Street, Chapeltown, in Leeds, which had been most recently used as six council flats. In order to do this LATCH was to provide them with the support and assistance needed to plan the work and give them the training needed to undertake the building work.

(One of LATCH's volunteers researched the history of number 1 Leopold Street and the local area and you can read his account by clicking here.)

The preparation work on the No.1 Project began back in November, 1996. LATCH had identified a suitable property for renovation by the summer of 1997 but it took until February 1998 to complete the purchase from Leeds City Council ,by which time LATCH had also secured funding from the Single Regeneration Budget to compliment the National Lottery Charities Board grant.

Once we had the property, the self-builders and the finances in place we set about recruiting the professional support that was required, and in this we had to follow the current Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Heath and Safety regulations.

After a lengthy tendering process we recruited One Stop Architects as our designers. They worked with the self-builders on the designs of each flat such that the self-builders' abundance of imaginative ideas could be made suitable in terms of Health and Safety regulations, architectural design, building regulations and the existing structure of the property. This process involved numerous planning and discussion sessions and the making of models of the proposed flat designs. One Stop also put us on to the other consultants we required. Leeds Environmental Design Associates (LEDA) who provided the Project Supervisor for CDM and are designing the plumbing, heating and electrical systems, Safety Management Systems who provide Health and Safety Consultancy, and finally Simba Consultants Ltd. who provide structural engineering services.

All the above people and organisations helped LATCH get to the stage where we had the completed drawings, building work specifications, the structural survey report and other documentation necessary for undertaking the required works. Work on site began in March 1998 and began with us undertaking a variety of preparation work, including Health and Safety procedures.

Work Begins....removing ceilings

To see photos of this stage of the project click here

Once these procedures were in place we set up the site office, canteen, kitchen, changing room and the toilet and washing facilities. It was also necessary to put in place security measures, such as window boards, steel gates for the doors and a security fence. With all this in place we were now ready to begin the actual building work. However before actual physical alterations could be undertaken we were required to employ external contractors for two specialist jobs. These were removal of asbestos cladding from one of the flats and removal of the pigeon 'debris' resulting from infestation of the loft space. After this work was completed we began by taking down all the upstairs ceilings. Starting this particular job was a significant step in the project in that it involves making changes to the property that will be permanent. All the preparation work is of obvious importance but in the minds of the self-builders the 'dropping' of the ceilings represented the start of the construction process.

This job is particularly difficult and dirty. We got fully fitted out in safety gear: boots, overalls, gloves, mask, goggles, and helmet. By the time you've got all this on you end up looking like a cross between the gimp from Pulp Fiction and a large gray Teletubby. Once kitted out we went into the loft where temporary lighting was in place and where planks resting upon the ceiling joists enable you to walk around safely. Working from these planks, you then break through the ceiling with your sledge hammer. As you do this the old ceiling; plaster and wood, drops to the floor fiftten feet below, kicking up clouds of dust.

After her first session up in the attic bashing seven shades of dust out of the old ceilings one of our self -builders emerged declaring she felt like a new woman. Smashing inanimate objects with large sledgehammers is great therapy for the stresses of modern living. Loading all the debris into skips isn't quite so much fun however.

Other alterations

The other alterations work involved: removal of bathroom and kitchen fittings, removing all the nails from the ceiling joists/timbers, removing all doors, door frames, architrave and skirting boards. Of a more technical nature and of great significance with regard to the ultimate design of the flats was the demolition of the existing stud and block walls in accordance with the new designs and the making of new openings for doors, open plan kitchens and bed platforms. Along with the knocking off of the plaster for the damp proof course this work takes the property back to a basic shell within which the newly designed interiors can be constructed. All this again involves hitting things with sledgehammers. Two of our volunteers were a bit slow to get the hang of it. 'Right then, today we'll be knocking down this wall so if you'd just like to hit it with the sledgehammer.' Tap. The wall remained resolutely where it was. 'No really hit it.' Thump. A small crack appeared. 'Imagine the face of someone who really pisses you off.' Crash! Bang! Wallop! As the clouds of dust cleared we realised that sometimes you've have to take a creative approach to site supervision.

A new roof

In terms of our work schedule once we'd finished taking things apart it was now necessary to start putting them back together. Prior to this, however, a new roof was needed. Pickles Brothers were the contractors who undertook this work. Although the name might make them sound like an old time musical hall turn they did an excellent job completely replacing the roof and peripherals with LATCH adopting a supervisory role regarding Health and Safety.

To see photos of this stage of the project click here

While the roof works were being done we all took a break from site and then returned to begin the process of putting the property back together in accordance with the new designs. This involved the installation of steel beams at eaves level in three flats in order to maintain the structural integrity of the property, the breaking out of more door openings and installation of concrete lintels as required, the preparation of walls and pad stones for the installation of steel beams and the building of party walls up to roof level. This work is of a more technical nature and consequently it is at this point that the official training of the self-builders started. Prior to the project starting the self-builders undertook training in Health and Safety at the college and intensive training in tea and coffee making at LATCH.

Training

The self-builders started NVQ training in a variety of building trades. This training was run in conjunction with Leeds College of Building, (LCB), with the self-builders registered on to the New Deal Training and Education option. The setting up of this was an arduous process with many false starts and false dawns but with the help of Chris Ferguson of LCB and Dawn Gill from Leeds Construction and Training Agency we finally had a package that not only equipped the self-builders with the technical skills to complete the project, but which will also greatly enhances their employability. Plus they can all now make a great cup of tea! The self-builders undertook NVQ units in bricklaying, joinery, plastering, plumbing and decorating in a time frame that corresponds to when these skills were required on site. Alongside the technical training the self-builders participated in the Key Skills programme which LCB runs which will address any literacy and numeracy difficulties and give access to information technology, communication, and study skills education.

Joinery

The joinery work was made up of what is known as "first fix" and "second fix" work. The first fix work was done by the self-builders alongside volunteers. Kerry Lawrence, one of the self-builders, concentrated to a large extent on the joinery, she completed her NVQ Level 2 joinery and worked on building many of the stud partition walls, suspended ceilings and fitting of door casings. James Frazer another self-builder also did a lot of the joinery work. Working with volunteers and other self-builders he fitted an entire new floor in his flat, built the timber dry lining walls and fitted the suspended ceiling.

To complete the second fix work we were helped by two new volunteer joiners from Leeds City Council Building Community Firm: Steve and Phil have been hanging doors, boxing in pipe work and fitting architrave and skirting boards.

Electrics

To see photos of this stage of the project click here

The building of the stud walls and the drylining made possible the electrical first fix work. All the self-builders to some degree helped in this area but Mark Philips was the one who stuck with it from beginning to end. Initially we left the theory to Matthew From Leeds Environmental Design Associates. We showed him the switch and light locations and he showed us which wires to run to and from each location. We were later joined by Kane a volunteer who used a method employing junction boxes.

For the second fix electrical we employed Leon Onoszko to do a training session with us where he showed us the variety of ways we would have to connect up our lights and switches. Having been provided with his guidance we proceeded to connect all the switches and lights. This was undertaken by a variety of people with Mark Philips working on almost every flat and with James Frazer fitting the lights in his flat. We then got Leon to come back and do a complete test and we were amazed after everything that there were only two faults on the six systems. We then had to wait to install the consumer units and arrange for a contractor to do the final connection and testing.

Plaster boarding......what fun!!!!

The installation of the stud walls, suspended ceilings and first fix electrics made possible the fixing of the plasterboard. Plaster boarding is all right for the first couple of weeks but then it starts to get a bit boring!! In fact some self-build projects have proven unable to motivate their self-builders and volunteers to complete the plaster boarding, and have had to get in contractors to do the job. This is one job LATCH can be proud to have carried through.

The self-builders Semira , Matthew and Mark did a lot of work along with volunteers in this area. This was an enormous job with there being what seemed like miles and mile of plaster board to do. The opening up of the ceilings made a difficult task even harder and the insulation and sound reduction requirements made it an even more complex task.

It was always a source of wonder and amazement to visitors and even to ourselves that the vast quantity of plastering required could ever be done. We can still recall the first ceiling being done and it being commented that one down a vary large number left to go. This has all been done by either self-builders or trainees on site placements. Danny Gregson who joined us as a new self-builder, after one of the self-builders dropped out, was trained up in plastering and did a lot of this work. Also crucial were the plasterers who came to site through Leeds City Council Building firm. This was organised by John Telford who was able to send us seven plasters The quality of the work overall is very high, some sections are not as good as they could be but considering that all the work has been done by people still being trained it is very good.

Decorating

To see photos of this stage of the project click here

Having completed the plastering the decorating has begun in earnest. Great debates about complimentary colours, and the play of light across matt, silk and soft sheen finishes had to be resolved first and then paint went on. Phil Lister, a new volunteer supervised the decorating, he devised a method that ensured we did the work in a systematic way.

Throughout all of the above many volunteers have helped us get to where we are. Maddy Smith has done a lot of the joinery work, and went o to start as a Leeds City Council Building Firm placement. We also had a volunteer from Germany called Frank. Frank was with us for a couple of months and did a lot of work on the plastering. He’s now back in Germany extolling the virtues of Latch.

Funding problems

In order to undertake all of the above work we had to resolve the issue of shortage of funds. In March 2000 we received our final National Lotteries payment but where still in need of more money in order to complete. This problem arose due to there being more work required then originally anticipated, the absence in the original costing of various items of expenditure and extra costs associated with the projecting taking longer to complete then anticipated. To resolve our funding problem we where helped from three sources. We undertook a SRB reappraisal of the project and were awarded £20,000. We were also given £10,000 pounds from Leeds City Council.

Another source of financial help crucial to us being able to complete the project was CRASH(Construction and Property Industry Charity for the Single Homelessness). Jim Warren the CRASH representative made a visit to our site and decided that they could help us. CRASH has contacts with numerous building suppliers and was able to provide materials for free, at cost or at reduced prices. CRASH were able to help us with are drainage materials and engineering bricks and plastering materials. They were able to get all our electrical switches and sockets donated free from MK electrical, they gave us all the paint for decorating the flats and all the floor and wall tiles for the flats, they were able supply us with the carpet for the main hallway at a reduced rate, they paid for the electrical consumer units and made a donation toward the cost of the joinery second fix materials and the kitchens. Jim also put us in touch with CITY Construction Industry Training for Youth, who provided us with &poun d;250 to buy tools for out trainee plasterers.

Windows and Plumbing

As the project took so much longer than anticipated and to avoid further problems of running out of funding and time, we decided to employ contractors to install the central heating and plumbing. We employed H & C plumbing, a local firm, to do the plumbing work. Whilst they did this one of our volunteers Khalid worked alongside them, gaining valuable experience. A modern energy efficient central heating system with condenser boilers was fitted. This combined with the dry lining insulation to make the new flats highly energy efficient.

As planned we employed a contractor to fit double glazing. JJS joinery made and fitted all the windows on the project and are made the new staircases.

We also employed A1 Electroserve to install the fire safety and door entry systems.

Completion

The last year of the project was an interesting and challenging time for all the Latch staff, self-builders and volunteers working on the No 1 Project. We had to face and overcome staffing problems, financial and funding difficulties, self-builder attendance issues and difficulties attracting volunteers. The resolution of these problems gave us an enhanced sense of pride in that we had completed the project and had done so in the face of greater than anticipated obstacles. The actual quantity of organizational and physical work done was immense.

An official opening ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the project on January 18th, 2001.It was officially opened by the bubbly DJ Jo-Jo from Galaxy FM. Many staff, self-builders and volunteers both past and present who worked on the project came along to the open day and had a chance to wander around Number One, and feel proud to have been part of such a big project that had transformed a near-derelict shell to six beautifully finished designer flats. It was a great chance for funders and local representatives to meet the self-builders and volunteers, as well as see first hand the kind of work that LATCH does. There were speeches by James Hartley from LATCH, Norma Hutchinson, local councillor, Sue Tuffin from the Community Fund, Eric Bowen - director of housing for Leeds City Council and Trish Blake from CRASH.

All the six self-builders were then able to move into their flats which they had built and designed, and having completed the project could move forward with the certainty of what they are able to achieve.