Steve Biko Court, London
Breathing new life into Steve Biko Court
Ladbroke Grove in London, home to around 6,000 residents, is known for its bustling and vibrant culture, given its proximity to Portobello Road Market and being the main road on the route of the Notting Hill Carnival.
At the busy junction of Ladbroke Grove and Harrow Road sits Steve Biko Court – a residential block of 23 flats named after a leading figure in the Black Consciousness Movement of Azania (South Africa).
Originally constructed in the 1980s, the block – owned by L&Q Group – had become tired and run down, qualifying it for the social landlord’s Major Works Investment Programme (MWIP).
The programme involves futureproofing homes to PAS 2030 standards, making them more sustainable and adaptable to evolving energy needs.
A much-needed makeover
As part of a £1 million investment, Morgan Sindall delivered integrated retrofit and capital works to enhance both the comfort and environmental impact of the homes.
The look and feel of the property was completely transformed thanks to several upgrades, including the replacement of 243 single-glazed timber sash windows with modern double-glazed PVC sliding sash units and a new flat roof. The renewal of the existing pitched roofs retained a traditional finish.
To enhance thermal performance and totally refresh the façade of the property, sub-contractor BTS Special Works – experts in building fabric repair and refurbishment – was appointed to install external wall insulation (EWI).
BTS’s remit included all preparatory work, full EWI installation, and specialist interfacing with existing roofing and drainage systems.
For the EWI, L&Q specified Saint-Gobain Weber’s webertherm XM, which consisted of a multi-layer approach combining non-combustible mineral-fibre boards with a silicone-based textured finish.
Guaranteeing best practice
Though BTS colleagues are qualified and experienced installers, Weber provided training for them prior to commencing works to reinforce best practice and ensure full familiarity with the specified system.
Interactive sessions took place at Weber’s dedicated training academy in Flitwick, where the installation team was introduced to the full build-up of the system, correct fixing methods, detailing requirements and finishing techniques.
During the project, Weber’s technical team also carried out weekly and fortnightly inspections to monitor quality, ensure compliance with system specifications, and assist with on-site queries.
This proactive approach to training and technical support facilitated consistent workmanship on site and ensured compliance with both manufacturer guidance and warranty conditions.
Installation process
The BTS team began by cleaning and preparing the existing brick façade in line with Weber’s application guidance.
A basecoat of weberend LAC rapid adhesive render was then applied in two passes, with weber standard mesh cloth reinforcement. This ensured system durability, resistance to cracking and compliance with impact resistance standards.
The 90mm-thick webertherm MFD insulation boards were mechanically fixed to the substrate across all elevations. Mineral wool was selected for its non-combustibility – with Euroclass A1 fire classification – as well as its thermal performance, vapour permeability and acoustic properties.
A decorative topcoat of webersil TF – a silicone thin coat render – in Winter White was applied as the finishing touch, providing both aesthetic enhancement and additional weather resistance.
Handling complex challenges
This project presented a series of technical, logistical and environmental challenges, requiring close coordination between BTS Special Works, Morgan Sindall and Weber to deliver the project successfully.
Work was completed in three phases, beginning with the Ladbroke Grove side, followed by the central courtyard before finishing on the St John’s Terrace side.
Site logistics and access restrictions
The layout of Steve Biko Court – particularly its small internal courtyard – offered extremely limited space for material storage.
As a result, BTS had to establish off-site storage facilities and implement a just-in-time delivery system, manually transporting the large mineral wool insulation boards to the working area.
This was particularly labour-intensive during the first two phases, where scaffold access was restricted and hoisting equipment was not available. The site’s position on Ladbroke Grove, a busy arterial route in West London, added further complexity, with operatives managing loading in high-traffic conditions and incurring frequent parking enforcement issues.
EWI was installed alongside concurrent roofing works, meaning BTS was required to work in close succession, immediately following the roofing team on each phase.
Environmental conditions and installation timing
The installation was carried out during the winter months, beginning in November 2024 and concluding in February 2025.
Cold temperatures, wind exposure and persistent rainfall created a challenging environment for the application of the EWI system, which has specific requirements regarding substrate temperature and moisture.
Works were carefully sequenced to minimise weather disruption, but the seasonal timing remained a significant constraint throughout the project duration.
Technical detailing at parapet level
A technically complex aspect of the project involved the interface between the EWI system and the existing parapet detail, which featured a low-pitched roof with a waterproofing system on the internal face.
In collaboration with Weber’s technical specialists, BTS’s design team developed a bespoke metal capping solution to bridge the two systems. This detail had to achieve a compliant overhang of at least 40mm to protect the insulation system from wind-driven rain and ensure long-term weather integrity.
The design also had to be coordinated with the broader façade and roofing works, requiring detailed planning and communication between all parties.
Despite these challenges, the project was delivered on time and to a high standard, with positive feedback from both the client and residents.
Lasting improvements
The work done to Steve Biko Court has contributed to the overall sustainability and wellbeing of the community by improving the EPC rating of homes to C, making them warmer and cheaper to heat; according to L&Q, residents will save, on average, £337 a year on their bills.
Installing EWI has helped to improve the U-value of the property from 0.82 W/m²K to approximately 0.28 W/m²K.
EWI is not only designed to dramatically reduce heat loss, stabilise indoor temperatures year-round, and cut interstitial condensation risks, but it can also help to reduce noise from surrounding traffic.
Residents of Steve Biko Court are therefore enjoying much more comfortable lives thanks to the collaborative approach of the Weber, BTS Special Works and Morgan Sindall delivery team.
