SynZero was contracted to refurbish and fully overhaul Walwyn Gardens, a two-storey retirement living community in Bristol. Consisting of 27 individual dwellings, Walwyn Gardens resides in the Redcliffe district of the town centre—representing a major testament to Synzero’s ability to achieve works in a contained space, with minimal disruption to neighbours.
Valued at £3.7 million, this project involved a complete overhaul of the retirement property, massively refurbishing individual resident’s accommodation and rebuilding the community centre from the ground up. From initial surveying through to demolition and all the way to the flats rebuilt and ready to be lived in, Synzero delivered the works to improve the quality of life of Walwyn’s residents.
Green construction
Sustainability was a major theme from day one, as green energy was a major theme for both Synzero and Bristol City Council in delivering these works. Through Synergize’s specialist division, Synzero, extensive decarbonisation work was undertaken throughout Walwyn Gardens, and rebuilding gave the opportunity to integrate environmental friendliness in the very heart of the project.
Sustainable construction practices were employed throughout, with a focus on recycled materials in the supply chain and certified green waste management for all outgoing materials. Synzero partnered with local firms to ensure recycling of all possible elements from the old site, providing expert input to build local capacity and improve Bristol’s burgeoning green economy.
Insulation and cladding were made from sustainable materials by certified manufacturing partners, ensuring that the green focus was a through line from initial design all the way to finished product. This insulation was installed with energy efficiency in mind, delivering double value in not just reducing carbon emissions from the property, but saving money for Walwyn Gardens’ retired residents via their fuel bills. This was then coupled with Solar PV panels mounted on the roof of the rebuilt communal areas, placing environmental concern both figuratively and literally at the centre of the Walwyn project.
Open and honest communication
Before shovels even broke ground at Walwyn Gardens, Synergize’s work had begun, holding in-depth meetings with Bristol City Council, staff and residents to understand their needs. By putting the concerns of the client first, Synergize and Synzero were able to tailor work to the council’s needs.
Synergize’s regional director, Glen Lewis, personally oversaw the work and managed interaction with the client—understanding that with vulnerable residents, an experienced human touch is essential to good work. Community engagement was driven a dedicated Resident Liaison Officer able to build long-lasting positive relationships with Walwyn Gardens’ residents and staff, helping Synergize’s project team become integrated into the community.
A combination of an open door policy for enquiries, coupled with a Request for Information Tracker to give a single formalised system across all stakeholders, allowed Bristol City Council to have all information about the project at its fingertips. This supported swift and transparent decision making, empowering the client to be an active part in the process.
Meeting and beating customer expectations
During the pre-start phase, Synergize and Synzero agreed on Key Performance Indicators with Bristol City Council, aligned with EEM Framework Service Levels and the PAS 2035 process to guarantee exacting and internationally-recognised standards of work. Monthly reports, coupled with meetings between Synergize, Synzero and Bristol City Council, have consistently tracked progress against these indicators, demonstrating a clear capability. To date, all KPIs and targets relating to time, cost and customer satisfaction have been met.
Synzero has worked tirelessly to not just bring the direct value of a refurbished Walwyn Gardens to Bristol, but to contribute meaningfully towards the city’s thriving economy. Wherever possible, Synzero has prioritised local manufacturers, hired local labour, and employed local subcontractors for specialist flooring work—totalling over £800,000 spent directly into the local economy. Synzero places social value highly in its priorities, and continually aims to empower the communities to which it delivers. One of Bristol City Council’s concerns entering into these works was the importance of Walwyn Gardens’ community spaces, a major reason for many residents choosing to live there. Recognising the risk posed to the community’s pond and garden by the demolition works, Synergize temporarily relocated these for the duration. As part of going above and beyond in its delivery, Synergize reinstalled the pond and garden, and performed additional landscaping works around all external areas of Walwyn Gardens. It also cooperated closely with St Andrew’s Church, adjacent to the community and important to many residents, to ensure continuing access and security in their place of worship, while minimising disruption to parish activities.
