NEW-BUILD FACILITIES


Rendered images of how parts of the interior of the new Highgate East facility will look. Service-users and staff were extensively consulted throughout the design and development process.


important for FM services, because it is vital that kit is easily accessible for maintenance. We were able to develop the design in the model to meet this requirement.


Heat pumps Heat pumps are already packaged, and come onto site ready to be craned in and connected. A mobile crane will lift the larger pieces of kit, including a packaged generator, which comes in two containers that sit one on top of the other. Everything is ‘plug-and-play’ and factory tested by the client. BIM level 2 also modelled external areas to understand where the below-ground services are; typically an area where we get clashes and time delays. Thorpe Precast is incorporating its data into the model too. This will be asset tagged for plant and equipment, working with the Trust’s FM team, and preventing additional or abortive tasks later.


COVID problems and solutions COVID struck shortly after we started the project. We adapted our schedule, and established a new way of working. At first, it was difficult; many of our team had not worked together previously. The P22 procurement route enabled us to create a cohesive team together (consultant, design, and client) long before we got onto site, and we have built and


THE NETWORK | MAY 2023


maintained these good relationships. This helps us to manage issues that arise, and speeds up communication, allowing practical discussions around design changes. Our young team has done some mentoring for older members around digital tools like BIM Field 360. A big challenge was dealing with


volatile materials markets. We examined our procurement of the key packages to mitigate risks. Offsite techniques help us mitigate the risk of exposure to materials and labour shortages. Thorpe Precast has a good supply chain to get the raw materials to make the things they need. They can also order materials and components far earlier, and store them for longer periods than we can.


Operating sustainably, saving money There is a shared common riser in the bedrooms. We realised that we could use one soil stack rather than the two specified, saving money, and creating more space in the riser for fitting panels and improving accessibility. We were able to cut 40 stacks out of the facility, making it easier to maintain. We were able to simplify the symphonic drain water system too – by omitting half the stacks, and making the below drainage design simpler and easier to install and coordinate. BAM researched and procured bespoke


thermostats for the rooms, which were unavailable on the open market, so we worked with suppliers to develop something for the hospital. This scheme utilises air-source heat pumps. Boilers are a back-up, but we found a pump equal in cost to the one specified, but which will use low GWP refrigerant, R4546. This means that the Trust will have a more efficient pump, which is future-proofed, and helps to reduce its environmental impact. We have a separate meter tracking power and lighting, monitored via a BMS system. All the lights are LED and dimmable via sensors, responding to outdoor conditions. The lights, designed by Whitecroft, meet circular economy requirements. There is a PV system on the roof. BAM won a P22 Platinum Training Award, and the plant has been registered on the City of London’s non-road mobile machinery for low emissions, receiving an Excellence Award. These are difficult to achieve for kit.


Keeping people safe and well The fire alarm system we have utilised sounds very quickly, and there is an infrared staff attack alert system and call buttons. Facial recognition cameras are being installed; the system uses AI so that it can identify if people are not where they should be. Room lighting is designed to be as close to daylight as possible to create a pleasant atmosphere.


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Courtesy of Ryder Architecture


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