Project
Project
This project required the design and erection of a large-scale temporary roof scaffolding structure over residential blocks within the Shawbridge Estate in Harlow. The purpose of the structure was to provide a completely weather-secure environment for extensive roofing upgrades and structural fabric repairs.
Bespoke Engineered Design: Due to the expansive surface area of the estate blocks and high exposure to wind loading, a standard scaffolding setup was insufficient. We utilized an advanced, fully designed temporary roof system featuring high-tensile aluminum lattice beams spanning the width of the buildings.
Full Weather Encapsulation: The structure was wrapped in high-durability, flame-retardant weather sheeting, creating a drum-tight seal that protected the exposed roof decks during the stripping and replacement phase.
Integrated Access & Loading: The scaffold incorporated heavy-duty spine beams, dedicated material loading bays, and integrated stair towers to allow high volumes of materials to move safely to roof level without affecting the building’s lower levels.
Executing a major structural canopy over high-density housing blocks presents severe logistical and community-related challenges.
Lived-In Occupants: The buildings remained fully occupied by residents throughout the duration of the works. This meant our teams were working directly above and around families going about their daily lives. Minimizing noise, preventing debris fall, and ensuring complete privacy and respect for the residents were absolute priorities.
Tight Programme: The client maintained a demanding schedule to minimize the time residents lived under a temporary canopy. We were faced with a compressed window to erect the massive framework, roll out the sheeting, and hand over a dry working environment to the roofing contractors.
Complex Footprint Constraints: The Shawbridge Estate features tight residential access roads, communal courtyards, and sensitive public walkways. Positioning heavy scaffolding legs and managing material drop zones without blocking emergency access or resident parking required constant vigilance.
We overcame the pressures of the Shawbridge Estate project through rigorous adherence to safety standards, precision scheduling, and a community-first approach.
NASC-Compliant Safety Frameworks: Operating over live tenanted properties left zero margin for error. All works were executed strictly to NASC (National Access & Scaffolding Confederation) standards. We implemented advanced collective fall protection, fully boarded debris netting, and secure ground-level fencing to completely segregate our operations from the public.
Hardworking & Respectful Crew: We deployed a highly competent, certified scaffolding crew experienced in live tenant environments. Our team maintained an exceptionally polite and professional presence, keeping noise levels strictly within agreed hours and ensuring that communal access routes were swept clean and left safe at the end of every shift.
Proactive Client Team Collaboration: To beat the "tight programme," we worked hand-in-hand with the principal contractor’s site management. By holding daily coordination meetings, we synchronized our material deliveries with the project’s progress. This collaborative relationship ensured that the large temporary roof was fully assembled, sheeted, and certified safe ahead of the critical path, allowing the roofing works to begin seamlessly.
The Result: A massive, structurally sound temporary roof delivered safely and on schedule over a fully occupied estate. The project achieved 100% weather protection for the duration of the works, with zero resident complaints and zero weather-related delays.
Work with us
