ECD ARCHITECTS: A NEW MODEL FOR TACKLING ESTATE REFURBISHMENT AND FUEL POVERTY | 07 Wilmcote House provides 111 flats of affordable housing for social rent in Somerstown, Portsmouth and is an 11-storey development comprising of three interlinked blocks with a combined GIA of approximately 10,200m2 . INTRODUCTION Portsmouth City Council. Wilmcote House. It was built in 1968 and is a pre fabricated concrete structure of LPS (Large Panel System) using the Bison Reema system. Following the partial collapse of a similar LPS building at Ronan Point (East London), measures were taken to remove gas from all LPS buildings in the UK and carry out strengthening as necessary. As a result, the flats at Wilmcote House were heated by old, inefficient and expensive electric storage heaters with residents typically on key meters. The existing concrete panels incorporated a very small amount of insulation however this was ineffective and the flats experienced extreme heat loss. Whilst double glazed windows had been installed in the 1990s these were relatively inefficient and now required replacement. However, whilst it was clear that the building required urgent attention, it was first necessary to undertake a thorough structural investigation to establish the condition of the concrete panels. Once the structural condition of the building had been confirmed and its suitability for refurbishment proved, the project team began to prepare feasibility options.