Nottinghamshire County Council

Just over a year into the Framework, Interserve put the finishing touches to the £2m Ernehale Lea respite centre at Arnold, the second respite centre to be constructed by Interserve as part of the Nottinghamshire Construction Framework.

One of the client’s objectives was to deliver buildings for the 21st century enabling the Council to improve service outcomes and quality of life. The two respite centres will replace outdated buildings and provide the end users with purpose-designed, brand new, naturally-lit and ventilated facilities.

The new Day Unit takes into account the needs and requirements of users with learning disabilities providing them with a stimulating environment that is fit-for-purpose. The design, driven by the learning disability team, encompasses a balance of rooms required to support the staff, the service users and the wider community.

The new building comprises of a timber frame construction; concrete floor and aluminium profiled sheet roof; under floor heating; services; finishes; external works and drainage. Internally, a resource / exercise room; dining and coffee bar; arts and crafts; administrative areas and kitchen are provided.

Achievements

• Facilitated movement of people to the community: Users are now being served in establishments nearer their homes
• £140k saving by using value engineering options ensuring that the budget was met
• Separate office for the supported living team
• Promoted the day unit to alternative uses i.e. conferences, theatre groups and exercise classes
• Staffing levels 12: 1 for able bodied and 3: 1 for physical disabilities
• In line with the “Valuing People” White Paper: Addressed the values of the Learning Disability Day Care Strategy and the “No More Broccoli” report
• The project has been completed according to programme; was of high quality; and was accident free during its construction
• Sustainability features include:
  • Re-use of brownfield site
  • Sustainable timber frame construction
  • High levels of insulation reducing the need to heat and cool the building
  • Natural passive ventilation and low energy fans where mechanical ventilation was required
  • Lower CO₂ emissions as a result of low energy boilers, lighting, natural ventilation
  • BMS control system for efficient heating and ventilation fully controllable by the school
  • Cycle provision including showers and lockers
  • Travel plan was provided

Elaine Bryan, Manager of Ernehale Lea, said: “We had an open morning recently when we invited parents and carers to come and look at the new building. They were absolutely blown away by how wonderful the building is, and one of the parents actually cried because she was overwhelmed by how wonderful it looked. Thank you to you all, from everyone here at Beck Meadow, for providing us with a fantastic building”.

Interserve designed and built the award-winning Lawn View House, the central office for the County Council’s services in the Ashfield area of Nottingham. This three-storey building houses offices for staff and includes a suite of meeting rooms and conference space separate from the main open plan office areas.

The size and shape of the building is derived from the need to provide a naturally-lit and ventilated office, which relates comfortably to the nearby houses, shops and park. The building is the hub of the Council’s services having a strong street presence with an obvious entrance.

The brick walls and roof help meet the aspirations for a long life, efficient structure, which enhances the urban scene. The main office space is arranged around an atrium, which allows flexible deep plan offices to get good day light and ventilation. The offices are relaxed and comfortable with high ceilings, fully-serviced workstations, rest areas and touchdown work areas.`

Achievements

• ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating for sustainable design, construction and performance in 2007
• Finalist in the Nottingham Evening Post Commercial Property Awards 2007 – one of the three finalists in the Environmental Sustainability category
• The building provides a public contact point for County Council services allowing flexibility of occupation by staff, whilst it presents a strong and modern image
• Sustainability features include:
  • Wind turbines to generate electricity
  • Ground source heat pump – provides heat in winter and cooling in summer
  • Assisted natural ventilation system – provides draught-free air circulation and night cooling in summer
  • High thermal insulation with low building floor to surface area ratio
  • Natural daylight to offices and energy efficient lighting
  • Rainwater is harvested and recycled to toilets
  • Recycled materials used in construction
  • Computerised building management system responds to outside conditions and allows user choice
  • Thermal mass buffers heating and cooling load
  • South-facing atrium collects winter heat from sun
  • The roof finishes are seam and green with a pebbled roof
  • The net internal area (NIA) occupancy rate per person is 6.3 sq m, one of the most efficient in the UK office sector

The Considerate Constructors Report stated: “This project is well presented and continues to show a good positive approach to achieve the aims of the CC Scheme. The site management maintain good communications and relationships with the adjacent major store.”