Pett’s Hill Children’s Centre

Value:£750k
Client:London Borough of Ealing
Duration:20 weeks

Project Description

Introduction:A new Surestart facility was required to be designed and built by the London Borough of Ealing, as part of the initiative to deliver childcare programmes alongside early education by the Department of Children Schools and Families. This is part of the ongoing programme that Lengard have been involved with across several local authorities.

The Challenges:

To deliver a new build centre, within the demise of the existing school, that meets sustainable design targets, over-achieving current building regulation standards. Also to limit the effect of new development on the environment, and be economical to operate in the long term. Consideration was also given to be able to keep the building cool in warmer weather. Achieving a high recycled content of materials during construction was also important to the scheme.

 How Lengard overcame:

Lengard were responsible for the DESIGN AND BUILD of the project and achieved low U-values to the walls, floors and roofs. This was achieved by excess insulation to the roof-space and walls, low-E Pilkington Optitherm glazing, and minimising air permeability.

An EcodanTM high-efficiency air source heat pump was used to provide background heating delivered via under floor heating, which also removed the need for hot surface protection to conventional radiators, due to young children occupying the building. The heat pump also provides hot water.

To ensure the building remains ventilated, and cool in summer, wind-catchers were installed, which were able to be damped to limit air draft in high winds and to provide ventilation without the need for electricity.