As multi-disciplinary lead consultant and project manager, Oander have been working with our supply chain partners over the last 12 months supporting NHS Property Services to develop sustainable and energy efficient improvements to an old, thermally underperforming Health Centre based in Waterlooville, Hampshire.
With the existing, outdated heating system at the site beyond its serviceable life, through an iterative design, challenge and review process focusing towards net zero, the project scope and brief has evolved to ‘enhance’ as opposed ‘replace’, resulting in a solution which now provides a greener, longer term sustainable solution for the Health Centre.
The projects scope will include a range of modern methods such as:
- Air Source Heat Pumps replacing the traditional gas fired boilers.
- Removal of the traditional radiators and installing radiant panels in the ceiling, which remove the need for expensive LST radiators, but also provide opportunity for more wall / surface space within critical operational areas.
- Enhancing the building fabric with new triple glazed windows throughout and the façade being ‘wrapped’ with an external brick effect insulated render, all contributing to improving the thermal insulation and performance of the building envelope for both summer and winter months.
- Installation of Photovoltaic (Solar) Panels to the pitched roof.
Can the NHS Estate really be Net Zero?
Reducing the carbon footprint and improving the efficiency of the healthcare estate across the United Kingdom is a challenge, when you consider the age, type and construction methods used in the past and whilst balancing these improvements with the considerable level of ongoing backlog maintenance that takes place.
It cannot be denied when you consider the reality of trying to retrofit and improve the sustainability credentials of the NHS estate, it is a challenge on its own, without the various and considerable competing factors, said Oander’s Steve Carrington.
Going on further to say “although, it must also be seen as a great opportunity, when you consider the nature of the backlog maintenance pressures, where you can look to incorporate, enhance, and improve the specification, which all contribute to taking the first steps on the net zero roadmap to aching carbon zero.
Yes, there is still the capital cost in undertaking the works, but be bold like NHS PS and take that opportunity not to replace like for like, but to utilise budgets to incorporate a greater carbon reduction legacy”.
What is next for Waterlooville Health Centre?
With the project scheduled to start in early 2023, the Oander team are looking forward to completing the scheme and using this as an opportunity to trial different approaches to retrofitting a complex and broadly inefficient estate due to the age of the buildings.
Oander will be responsible as Lead Consultant, in undertaking the Project Management, Quantity Surveying, Contract Administration and the role of Principal Designer, working alongside the Principal Contractor and design team.
If you would like to speak with the Oander team on how we can assist you and your estate in reducing the carbon footprint or delivering complex projects within live, operational environments, please click here to speak with our Steve Carrington.
