July 2010

Lakehouse re-accredited by Business in the Community for second year running

Lakehouse has been re-accredited by Business in the Community (BITC) for its continued investment in Corporate Social Responsibility. The company first won the BITC award for Education in 2008 and has been re-accredited in 2009 and 2010, having demonstrated the positive impact that its 'Lakehouse Legacy' has had in education, and the wider community.

BITC is the UK's leading award scheme for responsible business. Peer assessed and independently assured, the Big Tick is the most respected endorsement of responsible business practice and a great way for us to share and celebrate the positive impact we have on society.

Lakehouse shortlisted for Sustainable Housing Award 2010

A Lakehouse project at Brentfield Housing Estate, Willesden, has been shortlisted for a Sustainable Housing Award. Brent Housing Partnership has nominated the project for Energy Saving Initiative of the Year.

The brief from BHP was simple: retrofit occupied homes sensitively and with consideration, with a range of sustainable improvements including new outer wall insulation, new windows, roofs and roof insulation. The primary objective was to significantly improve the overall standard of each of the 114 properties and to reduce their energy consumption. Recognising an opportunity to develop a powerful solution, and target the bigger picture of sustainability, we went a step further. Our technical roofing team suggested a unique combination of Marley Eternit's EcoLogic roof tiles and Solarcentury's C21e solar electric (PV) roof tiles, which we call our 'Smart Roof System'.

The combination achieves not one but three environmentally friendly benefits simultaneously; the removal of nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollutants from the atmosphere via titanium dioxide-coated, concrete EcoLogic roof tiles; the utilisation of recycled content in the concrete EcoLogic roof tiles; and the provision of clean, free electricity via the C21e solar electric (PV) tiles.

The retrofit upgrades have resulted in a 33% improvement in energy efficiency and a 43% improvement in environmental impact. We have managed to significantly improve the standard of living for residents in local authority-owned houses, as well as combining three powerful environmentally sustainable elements to produce an outstanding result.

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony on 22nd October.

Lakehouse wins London Excellence Award for Customer Focus

In May Lakehouse was shortlisted for two London Excellence Awards - Customer Focus, and Making Partnerships Work. On 19th July the winners were announced at the annual Celebration of Excellence, held at Lord's Cricket Ground, and Lakehouse was presented with the esteemed award for Customer Focus. The judges said "Their passion and attention to detail is clearly at the heart of their success."

Gary Bruce, Communities and Regeneration Director, said "At Lakehouse we're passionate about what we do and how we treat people, so I'm thrilled that we have been recognised for customer focus. We've become very good at listening to our customers and understanding their requirements. In doing so, we give ourselves every chance of meeting our customers' needs, and providing them with a positive 'Lakehouse experience'."

Judges commended Lakehouse for "the dedication and passion that Lakehouse clearly demonstrates in delivering a level of service to residents that consistently exceeds their expectations". 

This is Lakehouse's fifth award in as many months. In March Lakehouse was listed as a Sunday Times Top 100 company; followed by the award of Contractor of the Year at April's Building Awards; May saw Lowther Children's Centre recognised by RIBA; and in June Lakehouse was presented with an award for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Construction News Quality Awards.

Lakehouse awarded share of £350million Hackney Homes framework

Lakehouse has been announced as one of only three partners for Hackney Homes' £350million framework, which will improve housing conditions for thousands of residents, as well as achieve significant improvements in the quality and delivery of services. The four year framework covers Decent Homes, Planned Maintenance, and Responsive Repairs.

Chief Executive Steve Rawlings says "The Hackney Homes framework is a massive win for Lakehouse, and further demonstrates our growth and success in social housing, where we are recognised as one of the leading service providers in the south east. To be selected as one of only three contractors for this high profile partnership makes all our hard work worthwhile."

Lakehouse will focus in two areas - Decent Homes and Planned Maintenance. Gary Bruce, Communities and Regeneration Director, says "Thanks to the phenomenal hard work and continued support of our dedicated workforce, Lakehouse finished first, achieving the highest score overall. It's a fantastic achievement for us and one that we can all be proud of."

Approximately fifty contractors were involved in a pre-qualification exercise, with ten of these making it through to stage one. Only three survived the rigorous procurement process, and Lakehouse was the overall winner.

Lakehouse awarded Islington's Education Framework

Lakehouse is delighted to announce the award of London Borough of Islington's £3million Education Framework.

Projects are expected to start at the beginning of the school holidays and will include:

• Construction of new infill education buildings
• Extension to classrooms
• Internal alterations and adaptations
• Refurbishment of part or complete existing buildings

The three year framework will focus primarily on schools, but is likely to include children's centres throughout Islington.