Modern Methods of Construction

NUNHEAD COMMUNITY CENTRE Feature Brickwork Community Liaison BREEAM Excellent Timber Framed Info box:Client: London Borough of SouthwarkArchitect: AOC Architecture Ltd       Quantity Surveyor: Haskins Robinson WatersValue: £2m The 300-square metre centre overlooks Nunhead Green in the London Borough of Southwark and is the first building to be completed as part of the master-plan for the area. Windows are set into a chimney-like protrusion from the roof. This feature is intended to reference the chimneys of the green’s Victorian almshouses. The super-scaled herringbone relief brickwork that animates from the main elevation is an enlarged version of the neighbouring Tudorbeathan pub’s brickwork, giving a civic monumentality to the modest scaled building. The Community centre replaces two 1970’s council buildings which were forced to close due to high running costs. Neilcott put in place a number of energy efficiency measures to ensure its economic viability. The project was awarded a BREEAM rating of Excellent and the first example of a modern dynamically insulated wall system in a non-domestic building; external air is drawn into the building through super insulated walls that perform as a heat exchanger, with a subsequent reduction in the need for internal service ducts. The timber-framed structure has been designed to enable easy for future adaptations, allowing the building to evolve in response to the changing needs of its users.

PECKHAM RYE PARK CLT Phasing Landscaping Info box:Client: London Borough of SouthwarkArchitect: Curl La Tourelle & Head         Quantity Surveyor: Faithful + Gould Project Manager: Faithful + GouldValue: £2.5m This project sought to revitalise Peckham Rye though a series of phased elements across Peckham Rye Common and Peckham Rye Park: Phase 1 – Establishment of a new car park Phase 2 – Creation of anew playground and associated landscape works on the site of the existing car park Phase 3 – Construction of new changing rooms, canteen/kitchen, store, plant and play room facilities with associated landscaping works Phase 4 – Demolition of existing portacabins, PoW hut and tarmacadam playgrounds and landscape works to return the area to the common Energy efficiency, low carbon and sustainability measures have been considered important on this project by the London Borough of Southwark and through consultation with Building Control and planning, a sustainability brief has been identified identifying minimum best practice targets, as well as aspirational targets that go beyond latest best practice. Neilcott used a cross laminated timber structure which among other benefits helped to bring down costs due to the exposed structural timber reducing finishing costs and being energy efficient. The development incorporates a number of energy saving technologies and the design increases the building skin’s thermal robustness. The changing rooms are located to have direct access to the pitches, and are accessed from a wide lobby. A more secure building provides ancillary sports facilities; accessible and official’s changing and lockers for both the children’s teams and adults teams. A new bio-digester is provided in order to avoid raising the building and installing new drainage across the site. The landscape design has evolved to link the new development to the wider park setting and be sympathetic to the park’s heritage.

MINT STREET ADVENTURE PLAY FACILITY CLT Community Liaison Landscaping Info box:Client: London Borough of SouthwarkArchitect: Hazle McCormack Young Quantity Surveyor: Mott Macdonald     Project Manager: Mace GroupValue: £1.5m Mint Street Adventure Play facility was built in 1971, and since 1996 the site has been managed by Southwark Council’s play service, which provides local children with the chance to play and learn in a safe environment. Today, Mint Street offers more than just an adventure playground. A huge variety of free opportunities and events for young people are available, ranging from sporting activities and music festivals to playgroups and life skills sessions. The site is within an Archaeological Priority Zone, opposite the listed Fire Station site on Southwark Bridge Road and close to two conservation areas, which overlap the northern tip of Mint Street Park. Neilcott liaised closely with local parent volunteers to discuss their ideas and the suggestions made by the children, to decorate the hoarding to retain the community feel, maintain its presence and dissuade unwanted attention. The theme of ‘My Mint Street’ was established, encouraging the children to reflect on their memories of the old building. Neilcott used a cross laminated timber structure which amongst other benefits is a low carbon form of construction and energy efficient. Using CLT meant construction was faster with less trades on site during the erection of the frame. The project provided: An accessible entrance Two accessible activity rooms on two levels Children’s kitchen and art space Outdoor growing space A child-oriented climbing facility New accessible toilet facilities New staff facilities A low maintenance, sustainable building with BREEAM Very Good rating