Holly House children’s home

The brief

To convert two 1930s semi-detached houses into one fully modernised detached children’s home, with a professional kitchen and a roof-mounted solar array.

Client: Leicester City Council
Value of enabling works: £50,000
Main contract: £943,000
Duration: 13 months

<p>Holly House children’s home</p>

Planning

high standard of design was achieved by retaining the original front façade and expanding the building with a singlestorey rear addition and a two-storey extension to the side.

These new sections complement the existing structure while featuring larger glazed areas, creating a bright, open, and spacious feel in the
living spaces. Patio doors further enhance the connection between the interior and outdoor recreational areas, blending indoor and outdoor environments seamlessly.

Construction

The site director and project manager oversaw all aspects of the construction, including the management of specialist contractors retained for work as varied as decorating and solar panel installation.

Progress meetings included monitoring costs to keep the project on budget and on time. Successful problem-solving during construction included unexpected structural work to the rear of the property and a bespoke drainage system for the rear garden.

Outcome

In accordance with our Social Value Charter, all stakeholders actively embraced and utilised (design) principles, and locally sourced labour and materials from sustainable/recycled sources to reduce carbon footprint/minimise environmental impact.

The site was delivered on schedule and to budget to the satisfaction of our client and end users.