PROJECT:
Brighton and Hove Central Library

CLIENT:
Mill Group

VALUE:
£15m

CLIENT’S REQUIREMENTS:
To construct a contemporary, simple, translucent and energy-efficient building to provide an environment with innovative technology areas, reading rooms and a children’s area for the people of Brighton.

Liaison was paramount with regard to local residents and businesses, to ensure minimum disruption and disturbance in a prime city centre site. The site is adjacent to the Jubilee Street Swimming Complex and site security and vehicle movements were crucial to ensure the safety of members of the public.

The building form is arranged around a central triple height space, which contains the main public floors on two levels. The perimeter spaces, which offer flexible accommodation for support activities and specialist areas, wrap around the central space on three sides and include staff accommodation on a mezzanine. The structure comprises a reinforced concrete central core with steelwork framing and infill block work to the outer area. Both are linked by public walkways

With sustainability listed as priority in the initial brief, the new building has achieved a BREEAM rating of 'excellent'. The heat that penetrates the glazed façade is absorbed by a specialist floor which forms part of the low energy release ventilation and heating system. Three central shafts in the roof act as chimneys to draw the heat out and allow fresh air to circulate. The building uses the equivalent energy of a four bedroom detached house.

MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS
Catalyst for redevelopment in Brighton’s Church Street and Jubilee Street areas
Sustainability ethos
Mixed use development

AWARDS
'The Prime Minister’s Better Public Building Award’
‘RIBA Best Public Building in the S.E’
‘Operational Project with Best Design’
‘Sussex Heritage Awards’
‘CIBSE Major Project of the Year’

PROJECT:
Fast track project to house four new aircraft simulators

CLIENT:
CAE (UK) plc

VALUE:
£4.5m

CLIENT’S REQUIREMENTS:
To extend CAE’s existing facilities to provide 1500 sqm for a simulator hall to accommodate four new flight simulators, computer rooms and two storey offices.

CAE is a leading provider of simulation and modelling technologies as well as integrated training services for civil aviation and defence customers worldwide. Operating for over 50 years, it has manufacturing operations and training facilities in seventeen countries on five continents.

Our programming and procedures ensured smooth running of existing facility whilst the new facility was under construction.

The first stage of activity on the site at Burgess Hill was the excavation of soil to a depth of two metres to allow the concrete pad foundation to be laid. The new building comprises a structural steel frame finished with curtain walling and cladding design.

The team had an excellent fast track programme in place, with over 40 personnel working on the scheme and a clear time table the project was delivered on time for the new simulators in July.

PROJECT:
New build facility to provide a 2 storey performing arts centre

CLIENT:
Godalming College, Surrey

VALUE:
£2.8m

CLIENT’S REQUIREMENTS:
To achieve a ground floor 234m2 drama studio, music practice rooms and storage space; the second floor consists of a balcony which overlooks the drama studio on the ground floor, large classrooms and further storage space.

The build team worked closely with the college when programming works to ensure smooth running of existing facilities whilst works were carried out on the new facility.

Health & Safety was paramount given that the works were carried in the middle of a live campus and with several constraints which included deliveries being restricted between certain times.

The arts centre is built from Pad and Strip foundations with concrete frame and from the first floor steel frame. The external part of the building consists of high level cedar timber cladding and render on the low levels of the building.

The roof of the building is made from single ply standing seam, and hollow rib metal decking.

The design of the arts centre fully complies with L2 regulations of energy efficiency; it comprises heat recovery systems, low energy lights and PIR (Personnel Infra Red) sensor which activate lighting only when each room is being used.

• Programming and procedures to ensure smooth running of existing facility whilst new facilities were being built
• Working in live building environment - Health & safety was paramount
• Fully compliant with L2 Energy Efficiency regulations

PROJECT:
Extensive fit-out and refurbishment

CLIENT:
Glendale Golf

VALUE:
£323k

CLIENT’S REQUIREMENTS:
To provide a clubhouse with quality and excellence Glendale golf had been awarded a 25 year lease to operate Tilgate Golf Centre located next to Tilgate Forest Park Crawley in Wealden countryside. Rated as one of the best Municipal courses in Sussex, Glendale had outlined their strategy to ensure the golf centre became their flagship course. Their intention was matched with the commitment to invest up to half a million pounds providing facilities synonymous with quality and excellence.

Close working relationship with Glendale was paramount to ensure the successful delivery of the project given the age of the property. It was imperative that the clubhouse re-fit and refurbishment works did not inhibit use of the golf course and members could continue to enjoy the facilities.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION The project involved the refurbishment of a timber framed chalet style golf club house. The works comprised of the refurbishment of the changing and shower rooms on the ground floor, and completely overhauling the first floor areas. The refit on the first floor included the construction of a new kitchen inclusive with new catering equipment, a stainless steel and mahogany finish bar, all complete with lighting, heating and hot water system. The balcony on the first floor was extended and a timber staircase was constructed to provide direct access to the new bar from ground level. A lift system has also been installed to provide disabled access.