A new 18,000m² building on a green field site. ACTS were novated to the design
build contractor to carry out the detailed design.
The building was constructed adjacent to the Grade A listed Craigie House,
within extensive woodlands. The building incorporates a diverse mixture of
accommodation including performance space, rehearsal studios, TV studios,
radio studios, music recording studios, classrooms, offices, laboratories and
sports complex.
Low-energy, low-carbon design, while achieving high levels of occupant comfort
were the main objectives for the services design. This was achieved by a variety of
methods in the diverse accommodation at UWS. The majority of the floor plate is
ventilated and comfort cooled using displacement ventilation. The comfort cooling
in rooms with higher internal gains was supplemented with passive or active chilled
beams.
The main heat source for the building is biofuel boilerplant, backed up
by conventional gas boiler plant, located in a remote energy centre.
Cooling is delivered by roof-mounted free-cooling dry-air coolers,
backed up by ultra efficient turbocor chillers.
NR20 noise levels were achieved in the radio and recording studios
using VAV fan coil units. IES modelling techniques were used extensively
to inform the building design including solar-shading analysis for the
brise soleil and computational-fluid-dynamics simulations to test the
displacement ventilation and chilled beam design.
A range of sustainable and energy efficient measures were incorporated
into the design which contributed to the BREEAM Excellent rating for design
and procurement.
The works comprised the design, specification and inspection of heating,
ventilation, comfort cooling, public health, lighting, electrical services and
vertical transportation.
Education
As part of the campus re-development at Falkirk’s Forth Valley College, the
Middlefield building was due to be demolished. The staff that were based within
this section of the campus had to be relocated to the main building. Two areas
within the main campus area were designated to be refurbished. The mezzanine
block which was within the main brick built building and the weir block which was
an externally mounted 2 storey purpose built portakabin.
Both areas were stripped of all existing mechanical and electrical services as
they were deemed to have expired their lifespan. New services including electrical
heating, power, lighting, ventilation and water services were installed to suit the new
architectural floorplan. The main electrical supply distribution was also modified
as the existing electrical storage heating system was supplied from an off peak
metered switchboard. A complete new addressable fire alarm system was aslo to
cover these areas as well as the main college building.
Education
Located in Lochgilphead Argyll and completed in 2012 this facility provides an ideal
environment for a first class training in construction skills. The building comprises an “L” shaped construction incorporating classrooms, workshops and Administration areas.
As the building is also a “demonstration” building it incorporates renewable technologies of solar panels providing domestic hot water and also a wind turbine which provides an electrical service to the building. Also provided is a ground service heat pump which is linked to a multizone underfloor heating system. ACTS provided the design specification of all the above and also lighting power and data. Hot and Cold water services and internal drainage.
Education
Queen Victoria School is a boarding school for children with parents serving in the
UK Armed Forces and was opened in 1908. The school also hosts a Chapel, which
was built as a memorial to Queen Victoria.
ACTS Partnership Ltd delivered a coordinated M&E services design for the new
site wide HV distribution and gas ring main infrastructure, new LV distribution
and the decentralising of the main boiler plant. ACTS Partnership Ltd continued
a site presence throughout the project to help achieve the ambitious construction
programme. In addition, new heating systems were installed in all the student sleeping accommodation wing, hence the works had to be carried out and completed within a short timeframe.
The new infrastructure works have enabled the school to plan for future expansion,
safe in the knowledge that primary services will be readily available.
Education
ACTS Partnership Ltd were appointed by the Design & Building Contractor
to provide detailed design for the M&E services for the extension project at
Pebblebrook Primary School.
As part of our works we were responsible for the design of classroom lighting,
small power, fire alarms, natural ventilation and underfloor heating. Heating
and power supplies were extended from existing plant and had to follow the
same automatic controls logic as the rest of the school.