Client: Henry Boot Construction
The Cocoa Works in York was once the site of a major chocolate factory site, built by the famous chocolatiers, the Rowntree family, from 1890 and was once dubbed York’s Garden Factory.
In November 2021 Henry Boot Construction started work as an on-site contractor for a revised plan to convert the site into a residential community of 279 apartments and affordable market homes, with an emphasis on heritage-led conservation of its community spaces. In December 2024 the project was officially completed. The apartments were launched and the William Sutton pavilion opened housing a CAVO café and multi-use community hub.
The factory’s library was built in 1927 as a memorial to philanthropist Joseph Rowntree, designed by his nephew Fred Rowntree, and is the only surviving building by him remaining on the site. The library served Rowntree factory workers and their families from the late 1920s to the 1990s, providing books, music scores, gramophone records and recreational activities all funded by the factory board and employee donations.
The library was planned to be reimagined as a concierge and co-working space, maintaining its long history of use by the inhabitants of the factory and maintaining its heritage assets.
Timberwise was called in to assess and waterproof the library basement at the start of the project.
Challenges
Our team arrived at the site to conduct a survey on the basement in preparation for installation of a basement waterproofing system. They found standing water on the floor, sitting in recently formed pits. There was also a substantial leak coming from a part of the walls, which was believed to have been from a water pipe being fed directly into the underground space.
The survey also revealed tide marks on the walls, indicating that the basement had regularly flooded to a height of 0.5 meters.
The area itself was also quite large, encompassing the entire area of the library above and being partially under the nearby road. Access was also limited to this area of the site during the construction project, meaning movement across site was difficult. However, our technicians were undeterred due to their experience with large sites like this one.
Solutions
Our team recommended a Type C internal waterproofing system, conforming to BS8102:2022, including 4 pumping stations and drainage system. The design was made to include a perimeter dewatering system including a full cavity drain floor membrane with 20 mm studs and a band of 300 mm wall membrane.
This basic option was taken as the space did not, as yet, have an intended use within the project. However, the system would be easily upgradeable if the space became viable in the future.
The proposed membrane and drainage would help to manage the water-flow that was coming through the basement wall render. This system is reversible, making it perfectly suitable for a listed historic building like this one. It would also prevent the structure from coming under any additional hydrostatic loads, unlike a Type A or B system.
Systems like these are vital to prevent issues like slip hazards, electrical hazards and corrosion to metal equipment and structures.
Results
A cementitious slurry was installed alongside a cavity wall membrane. An extensive system of pipework was laid, conforming to the size of the large basement area. This system was then connected up to the pumping stations.
Our client was happy with the work and Timberwise added another historic property to their list of completed projects.
Do You Need Help with a Basement Waterproofing Solution?
Our dedicated and experienced Leeds team is ready to talk to you about your options for property preservation. Don’t hesitate to call at 0113 208 9146 or you can request a survey online.
