RAAC Remediation at Medway’s Gun Wharf

RCS delivered a science-led solution for pitched RAAC panels at Medway Council’s Grade II-listed Gun Wharf headquarters, allowing phased reoccupation of the building and creating a research benchmark for future RAAC projects.

Client situation

• A distinctive Grade II-listed civic building originally built for Lloyds of London and now home to Medway Council and the County and Family Courts.
• Routine survey work revealed widespread RAAC panels in the pitched roof, a configuration not covered by existing national guidance.
• Initial estimates for full roof replacement ranged from £20m-£70m; Medway Council instead commissioned RCS to investigate whether the roof could be retained safely.
• The building needed to remain partially operational for critical public services, requiring a proportionate and carefully phased approach.

Sector:
Local Government

Services provided:
RAAC Structural Assessment
Independent RAAC Panel Testing
RAAC Remediation Design & Project Management

Location:
Chatham, Kent

“Medway Council asked the right questions and waited for the answers. The project shows what’s possible when science, not assumptions, drives decisions; a great example of collaboration, curiosity, and a commitment to evidence.”

RAAC Approach

• RCS carried out an initial reconnaissance of Gun Wharf at no charge, reopening closed-off areas, including family courts, with bespoke temporary timber supports to maintain council operations.
• Working with experts from Loughborough University and BRE, the team removed and destructively tested 30 RAAC panels to generate unprecedented data on pitched and trapezoidal installations.
• RCS ran structured stakeholder workshops to weigh factors such as disruption, sustainability, capex, op-ex, long-term asset use and regional priorities, enabling a balanced options appraisal.
• This evidence base allowed RCS to design a bespoke mitigation plan using minimum virgin materials, deploy proprietary RAAC Lift supports, and future-proof the building envelope.

Outcome

The science-led approach challenged the default assumption of full roof replacement, creating a sustainable and proportionate remediation strategy. Around 25% of the building has already been safely reoccupied, with phased reoccupation ongoing. The Medway project has established a new model for tackling complex RAAC challenges in public buildings.