We have been privileged to have been Principal Contractor for the construction of the new 1^st Shelton Lock 230sqm building. The project has run within budget and on schedule for completion at the end of December 2024. Funding through the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) and a long lease granted by Derby City Council has enabled the Scouting Association to move from an old timber hut to this modern eco and robust building.

The walls are built from a modern method of construction called Nudura Insulated Concrete Formwork (ICF). We are accredited for the construction of ICF buildings. The product has excellent u-values; far exceeding building regulations and can be constructed very quickly. The walls of the building were constructed in less than two weeks enabling the quick progress of other trades within the programme.

The building features a number of eco features, such as a huge array of solar panels (x43), battery storage, triple glazed windows, underfloor heating, ASHP, MVHR system and rainwater harvesting. Although the property is connected to the grid through a 3-phase connection, it has been designed to need very limited support from the grid.

We have supported our client, the Scouting Association, throughout the build process, having regular meetings, providing update reports, cash flow forecasts for the NYIF, design meetings with all stakeholders and satisfying the requirements of the Employers Agent and Contract Administrator.

On behalf of our client, Chesterfield Borough Council, Ipsum (UK) acted as Principal Contractor during the remedial works to a residential property.

Works to the property included the partial re-build of the gable elevation, installation of remedial wall ties, re-pointing to the entire property, and the installation of an aco drain system to the properties side entrance alleyway.

Following our Structural Engineers design, we re-built the gable elevation and installed structural straps to both the roof rafters and ceiling.

The property was tenanted throughout the works, so extra consideration was taken to remain flexible and adapt our programme to suit the working patterns of the tenants. Our Tenant Liaison Officer communicated scheduled works ahead of time with the tenants to ensure minimal disruption.

Work was completed ahead of schedule and both the tenant and client are delighted with the outcome of the project.

On behalf of our client, Derbyshire County Council, Ipsum (UK) acted as Principal Contractor during the remedial works to a Primary School.

External remedial works to the chimney breast wall included the removal of a tree, investigation works to existing flashings, replacement of existing capping stones and re-pointing of brickwork.

Works was carried out over the School holidays and was completed on schedule.

This two-storey wrap around extension was built using ICF (Insulated Concrete Formwork). We first recommended ICF to the client as the site was very restricted and the wall thickness was key to ensuring the room sizes were achievable. The external wall needed to be constructed as a retaining wall to support the adjoining drive, so using a traditional method would have increased the wall thickness by 200mm. ICF system enables the wall to be reinforced so that it can act as a retaining wall, as well as providing the external walls to the extension. We had previously been involved with ICF and knew the system would not only provide a practical solution but also environmental and efficiency benefits.

Our Project Manager Adrian Cropper and Managing Director Aidan Cropper completed an ICF advanced installer training course to become accredited in April 2022. Work then started in November 2022.

Internally, several large steels were installed to enable the left-hand rear corner of the house to be removed to create a large open plan kitchen/dining area. A rear ground floor snug/5th bedroom was added along with a shower room, garage and 4th bedroom upstairs.

Ipsum managed the entire process including managing all sub trades and completed the project September 2023. The client has noticed an improved fuel bill as a result of the works and is delighted with the overall outcome.

Detail was key to the success of this project. Nominated for several awards; Aidan expertly managed the entire project effectively through RIBA stages 0-7.

Client, architect and engineer communication was especially vital on this project to ensure all details were discussed and agreed. This home was built with eco features, including solar PV, ASHP, underfloor heating, battery storage and exceeded building regulation standards.

Smart home system Loxone was also installed creating a future proof home and invaluable experience into modern methods and future homes standards.

Glass reinforced concrete fascia and soffits were installed. The GRC system was designed collaboratively between Aidan, sub-contractor, bracket supplier and architect to ensure this detail finished perfect. The GRC also had to be carefully designed and set out to ensure it not only corresponded to the ceiling height on the ground floor but also finished flush with the balcony, which also finished flush with the internal floor levels. Once finished this provided flush floor levels throughout.

Sightline windows and doors were installed which have an inbuilt drainage system, enabling the floor levels to be built up and run flush. These doors were also connected to the automated Loxone system, so no handles were required, just a small lip which when the door locking mechanism was remotely disengaged would enable the door to simply and effortlessly slide open.

The existing property was an 1820 Toll House which serviced a prior major road into Nottingham. This is now a bridle path, however the property still has significant local interest. There was a huge amount of pride taken in restoring the existing property and enhancing it with the new extension, whilst also ensuring it was efficient to new building regulations, including the use of the following architectural details:

• Roof lights
• Glazing – flush threshold/electronic opening/corner windows
• Timber windows
• Flat roofing
• Retaining elements
• Stone work (facia, soffit, external copings)
• Solar PV
• ASHP

Managing Director Aidan Cropper was responsible for the delivery of this extensive building project. Winning two Master builder of the year awards; Aidan was highly commended on his management of the project and completing on time and budget. RIBA 0-7 stages were all actioned or implemented by Aidan along with support from the site management team.

The original layout of the house had limited flow, was dark and starting to look dated. It is now a warm and inviting home, as well as having a serious wow factor.

The grand U-shaped oak staircase creates an immediate impression. As does the swimming pool within an external building. The 100 sq/m kitchen/diner/living space is warm and welcoming and a great place for entertaining.

The kitchen is bespoke and handcrafted using walnut and quartz. From the bed of the master bedroom the views of the Nottingham valley are now visible through the spectacular vaulted glazing which rises up towards the sky.

Previously these views had been restricted by small windows, but are now fully exploited. All the windows were manufactured in aluminium, with a curtain wall system being used in the bedroom, incorporating a 6m three set aluminium sliding door set.

Working to the engineers specification, over 30 large cantilevered, vaulted or cranked steels were installed. These were craned over the roof into position.

This created interesting angles, 14 different roof pitches, light, airy rooms and allowed for vaulted feature windows. A huge amount of precision and craft was required to ensure that the steels would be concealed within the ceilings, floor, walls whilst also seamlessly connecting into the existing building. Underfloor heating was installed to the ground floor and tiles installed throughout.

This was a tight site on a very busy road so special care was required to ensure save delivery of materials and trades.

This technically challenging award-winning new build project, at Cheadle close in Mapperley, Nottingham on a small cul-de-sac, was successfully completed by Ipsum UK Ltd in 2018.

The client lived on a large corner plot and designed their new home on the land which was their former garden and garage. Our objective from the outset was to work closely with the client to ensure that we built a home for them that they would be proud of.

We were aware of the close proximity to neighbouring properties, due to the site being positioned on the exit/entry of a cul-de-sac communication between the residents was key to ensuring the project ran smoothly. The site was also extremely tight with most of the boundary’s less than a metre away and one next to a public footpath, so communication and thorough planning ensured we didn’t have any issues.

The build was just over 7m high with 23 cranked beams all individually designed and installed which then formed the roof and 1st floor ceiling. Underfloor heating was installed to the ground floor and high levels of insulation installed exceeding current building regulations.

The property has a large kitchen/dining room, 4 bedroom all with en-suites, 2 reception rooms, a large hall and integral garage. The build achieved extremely high results for the SAP calculations and air tests.

Ipsum completed all works to provide a turn-key solution for our clients.