Proposed changes unveiled to address mould issues in Edinburgh's housing estates
In the heart of Scotland's capital, a significant transformation is on the horizon for two council housing blocks, Oxcars Court and Inchmickery Court, constructed in the 1960s. A development company has lodged a planning application to retrofit these buildings, aiming to improve the lives of over 150 families living in the properties and eliminate fuel poverty.
The retrofit project is part of a wider revamp of the Muirhouse Estate, a masterplan that also includes landscape proposals for the remaining 3.5ha plot. The development company, Stallan-Brand, plans to give a 'whole building retrofit' to the 11-storey concrete-framed blocks.
The buildings, due to their shallow plan depth, high surface-to-volume ratio, and lack of insulation, have an 'extremely poor heat loss form factor.' This, combined with the presence of open access decks, an exposed concrete exoskleton, architectural detailing with numerous complicated junctions, and the sheer scale of the buildings, makes the project an 'extremely complex building typology.'
The retrofit is expected to bring the homes up to, and beyond, current standards, eliminating fuel poverty for the residents. This is particularly significant in light of the tragic death of Awaab Ishak at the end of last year, which led to a new law that landlords cannot leave tenants in damp and mouldy homes.
The scheme is backed by the City of Edinburgh Council and the organization planning the redesign is the Hillcrest Housing Association. Subject to approval, work on overhauling Oxcars Court and Inchmickery Court is expected to start in January 2024.
The buildings are currently riddled with mould and damp, a problem that the retrofit project aims to address comprehensively. Each building, with a size of 9,015m2, was constructed without insulation, and the exposed concrete beams and columns create direct cold bridges which exacerbate mould and damp issues within the properties.
The retrofit project, if successful, will not only improve the living conditions of the residents but also set a precedent for addressing similar issues in other concrete-framed buildings of the era. The City of Edinburgh Council and the development company, Stallan-Brand, have expressed their commitment to further applications for the remaining areas of the Muirhouse Estate, ensuring a brighter future for the community.
