Cae Hoci
Project Name: Cae Hoci
Location: Pwllheli
Value: £3.5m
Client: ADRA
Brief: Construction of 14 new affordable homes on undeveloped site
OBR were appointed as the main contractor for the design and build of 14 new aordable homes in Pwllheli for ADRA in January 2024.
The brief given by the client was to build a high-performance home using modern and traditional methods of construction. OBR Constriction Ltd adopted new methods and technology such as timber frame superstructure, renewable energy sources and high-performance insulated wall construction. These modern methods of construction were designed in accordance with traditional construction techniques, such as slate roofs, locally sourced stone cladding and walling. Combining the modern methods of construction with these traditional techniques ensured the properties blended into their surroundings.
OBR construction Ltd are a located on Ynys Mon. We have over 60 directly employed skilled tradesmen, with an additional 20 tradespersons who operate on a labour only sub-contract basis. These tradespersons continually work for us across the region. This resource, with our 25 office-based staff, allows us to selfdeliver on most of the construction of our projects. Within this project, OBR undertook the groundworks, drainage and raft slab installations with our civils team. We own most of the plant used on the project and are therefore well insulated from local supply chain issues or price fluctuations. The concrete was suppled by our sister company, Mon Mix, which was used for the raft slab foundations and all underground drainage pipe surround and kerbing. OBR Construction Ltd provided the foul connection to the Dwr Cymru main line in the highway running adjacent to the site.
As an approved DCWW contractor, OBR Construction completed the S104 & S106 works utilising in house labour and plant. The works were planned and executed by having TM in place during the day and road closure in the evening. We worked in shifts to progress the connection and drainage works as quickly as possible and minimise the impact on the surrounding houses and college campus.
OBR have an in-house plumbing team who installed all the hot and cold water feed to all properties. They also installed the white goods within the bathroom and kitchens. Heating for the building was designed to make use of renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions and lower costs for occupant throughout the lifetime of the buildings. Mitsubishi air source heat pumps were installed by our certified in-house plumber, that connected to the radiators throughout the home. PV panels were installed on the roof by our trusted electrical sub-contractor and the energy generated from these units warmed the water cylinder and powered the house. We also installed battery packs for the PV system to capture any surplus energy production, that would store for later use.
The roofs were undertaken by our directly employed roofing team who insulated, felt and battens the roofs before installing the PV housing and traditional slate. They also installed the detailed slated canopy roof above the ground floor level window level. The lead work was also installed by our team, giving the client the total install package under one contractor. As a member of NRFC, we register all our projects with them. This allows them to review the quality of workmanship of our various roofing projects and provide reassurance to the client that the work is completed to the highest standard.
For our framework bid, we are partnering with Coastline electrical who, over the years, we have built a close working relationship. For this project, they installed the electrical scope for all the houses and external lighting columns. Utilising our trusted supply chain for this package, we were able to keep work continuation on site by having Coastline first fix the first property, and then moving on to the next while we came in next and completed the remaining internal works. By following each other around the site they were able to drop a team back on the house we had completed to undertake the second fix. By having this production line type work methodology, we allow continuation, accelerated the programme and shortened the delivery date. Utilising our in-house plumbing and mechanical team working closely with our electrical contractor, we could ensure that commissioning was done methodically, and that all systems worked together, matching specification requirements and avoid any latent issues and mitigate the need for remedial works.
For the scheme, we supplied and fitted the uPVC doors and windows in anthracite grey to match the fascia and soffits. Our joinery team also completed entire joinery scope including the internal doors, architraves, skirting boards, kitchen install, staircase and internal wall and ceiling linings. Our plastering team lined all internal walls and ceilings with plasterboard and thistle finish, and the external rendering was undertaken by our supply chain member RL Williams Plastering and Rendering Ltd.
As with all of our projects, we have a dedicated project manager, quantity surveyor, in-house health and safety manager and a site based site manager who oversees all the work and quality of workmanship. We are proactive with our stakeholder engagement and implement our ISO9001 quality management system on all of our schemes. By using our ISO9001 complaint quality management system, we continually hold weekly update site meeting with the client, monthly contract meeting either on site or at our head office, provide a tenant liaison officer to communicate any impacts on the local community and adjoining houses. Our Business Management System also ensures we communicate and manage our supply chain effectively, from our on-site sub-contractors through to our material suppliers. Being a local company and working within north west Wales for so long, we have built a trusted supply chain that we continually evaluate and review to ensure the highest quality of delivery for our clients.
