The challenge
The key challenges on this campus were to deliver the scheme to a very tight budget, and also that a substantial amount of the client’s funding from Welsh Government was withdrawn during the early stages of the project. We therefore faced a very challenging value engineering target.
Designed over four floors, the campus incorporated facilities for computing, information technology, science, care & childhood studies, business & professional studies, sport, catering, hair & beauty, music and performing arts along with a purpose built Learning Centre.
Our approach
From the very outset of this project, CHt worked collaboratively with all stakeholders. A detailed 3D model was produced for this project as we recognised the benefits it would bring to the team. This allowed for all services to be fully co-ordinated with each other and the building fabric which improved installation times and quality.
Through a close working relationship with the client and design team, CHt ensured that all products installed fully met or exceeded the client’s expectations. This also helped to ensure that the project achieved BREEAM Excellent recognition, through theidentification of target points early in the project timeline and ensuring they were all met during regular reviews.
The engineering behind our delivery
CHt was employed to provide all the M&E systems for the building including the following:
- Heating – via biomass boiler with a back up gas boiler
- Solar thermal heating for hot water system
- Rain water harvesting
- Ventilation – mix of mechanical and natural
- VRV Air conditioning system
- Underfloor heating in the atrium
- Radiators
- Photo voltaic panels
- Small power
- Lighting - a combination of LED and T5 systems
- Data – Cat 5 rating
- Domestic services
- Fire alarms, security systems including CCTV, wireless access control and intruder alarm
To overcome a very challenging South Wales winter, the CHt Manufacturing factory in Oldbury accelerated their programme by manufacturing corridor modules containing the ductwork, pipework and electrical containment systems.