All Posts in Architectural News Stories
[h6]New Build Tourist Accommodation.[/h6]
Rathlin Hostel from the ferry.
[full]
Just back from a trip to Rathlin Island to look at old jobs and new. It's a beuitiful place all year around but even more so at this time of the year, out of tourist season. So quiet, yet its bustling as the Islanders go about their daily lives. There is only 80 of them and they all seamed to be on the move. The main reason for the trip was to check up on progess with the Youth Hostel which is currently under construction. It will hopefuly be finished and open for this summer.
Ground Floor Plan
Around 60 000 tourists visit the island every Summer now that the new catamaran provides a quick and comfortable way to cross from Ballycastle. Most tourists are day trippers. The Island only has 29 over night beds available, so the majority of visitors leave on the last boat. A lot of these beds are long term rents to seasonal workers. The island is crying out for extra beds and the Hostel currently under construction aims to fill this void. The Planning Proposal was therefore very strong. Laverty architecture produced a business plan highlighting the economic benefits to the island as well as the drawings and usual paperwork. The Hostel itself replaces the demolished run down outbuildings which occupied the site, creating only a small increase in built form. The site itself is 15 minutes walk from the harbor, beside the old Kelp House. The site of the hostel is quite restrictive. Access to the adjacent dwelling and boundaries dictated the footprint of the building and we had to work with those constraints from the start.
The Hostel has views of the Harbor and The North Antrim Coast
Ready for plastering inside and out, then the screed to the floors and 2nd fix. The push is on to get the Hostel opened for the summer. All materials have to be ferried over, so the weather is potentially a big factor in keeping the project on schedule. Also adds complications and extra expense to any building projects on the Island. All the Islanders I talked to all think the Hostel will be good for the island. I will be back to see it when finished and maybe give it a test drive myself when its open. [/full]
[h6]The Warm Homes Plus scheme provides a range of insulation solutions to homes on a qualifying benefit.[/h6]
[full]
This is a great scheme run by the Department for Social Development and provides a range of insulation and heating solutions for low income house holds. The scheme provides Cavity wall insulation, Loft insulation, hot water jacket, energy advice and a range of heating systems. You may also qualify for installation of a fully controlled, energy-efficient oil or gas central heating system where no system currently exists. Conversion of an existing bottled gas (LPG), solid fuel or Economy 7 heating system to oil. With energy prices constantly on the rise it has never been a better time to check your house is not leaking heat and therefore money.
[h6] The house above shows typical hot spots where energy is leaking from your house. Roof and wall insulation make a huge difference. But as the picture shows UPVC window frames also perform badly. The building regulations call for Low E argon filled double glazed K glass yet the frames themselves are hollow with only two 5mm pieces of UPVC separating inside from out. Putting a high performance material in a badly performing frame is madness. But unfortunately it is hard to source insulated UPVC frames in NI. Wood is a good insulator so hardwood frames are the best choice if you can commit to the maintenance involved.[/h6]
The turn over for the Warm Homes Scheme is quick. The projects we have been involved in have typically had a turn over from application to installation of 5-6 weeks and have transformed the homes involved.
This is a great scheme run by the Department for Social Development and provides a range of insulation and heating solutions for low income house holds. The scheme provides Cavity wall insulation, Loft insulation, hot water jacket, energy advice and a range of heating systems. You may also qualify for installation of a fully controlled, energy-efficient oil or gas central heating system where no system currently exists. Conversion of an existing bottled gas (LPG), solid fuel or Economy 7 heating system to oil. With energy prices constantly on the rise it has never been a better time to check your house is not leaking heat and therefore money.
Insulation makes your home hold the heat better, reducing fuel bills and making the home much more comfortable. A good hot water jacket keeps the water hotter for longer and reduces the time and fuel required to heat the water. Increasing the insulation in your home increases your Energy Performance Rating, a "miles per gallon" for heating your house. Which in turn increasing the value of your home.
It is not that often that the government implements a good scheme that does as intended so we would encourage you to check the website bellow or phone to check if you qualify. If you do, your home will be inspected after 2-3 weeks and the works carried out 1-2 weeks after that. It is only a short phone call to check if your qualify. Perhaps you have an old relative who could benefit from a warmer home. If so, you can arrange the inspection from them.
To qualify you must receive one of the bellow;
- Income Support
- Income Related Employment Support Allowance
- Income Based Job Seeker's Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (with relevant income less than £15,860)
- Working Tax Credit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Housing Benefit
For more information about the Northern Ireland Warm Homes Scheme, call freephone 0800 988 0559 or apply online.
www.warm-homes.com
[/full]