Sustainable building design


and circulation zones, and emphasising the main approach to the building. The ground floor elevations comprise of buff/neutral coloured textured cast blocks. To the front, projecting bedrooms at each wing end are finished in coloured render, adding a note of contrast and playfulness. The rear elevation facing the gardens features three chimneys in cast stone ashlar blocks with integral windows and stone ‘chimney pots’. The first floor is clad with untreated timber which will weather and mellow in time.


The care home decor, colours and finishes along with furniture and artwork, have been chosen to create a homely environment and instil a sense of calm. The residential wings each feature a distinct theme reflected in the decorations, finishes, and furniture. The extensive gardens are based on an


active loop principle forming a continuation of the internal building circulation routes. Seating along the paths mirrors internal break-out spaces, providing sensory experiences throughout the ‘journey’ in the form of landscaped beds and trees. Generous views and access are provided from within the communal spaces, providing a natural extension to the lounge and bistro seating. Mature trees and an established holly hedge bound the gardens on all sides, providing a natural, calming backdrop to the home.


Sustainable solutions with the end users’ needs being paramount


With Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council strongly focused on quality of care, sustainability, and long-term investment in order to ensure the delivery of an energy efficient building, ONE’s mechanical and electrical team explored a range of options and provided the best advice for long-term


Key suppliers


Build contractor: Speller Metcalfe Interior design:


Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council Beds and furniture: Renray Baths: Arjo Huntleigh


Flooring: Karndean and Danfloor Lifts: Orona


Feature lighting: RS Robertson Feature wall tiles: Parkside Laundry equipment: Electrolux Nurse call systems: ENS Digital Electricals/solar PV system: Solmatix Renewables Glazed balustrades: Delta Balustrades Ground source heat pump: Thermia General lighting: Thorn Main electrical subcontractor: A J Taylor Ltd Main mechanical subcontractor: EH Humphries


payback solutions. With the needs of the end users and client being paramount, ONE provided a design that would be best for the future residents and for the environment; for example, by researching the DSDC Stirling University guides for dementia friendly lighting resulted in the use of circadian rhythm low energy LED lighting to mimic natural daylight patterns internally. Examples of the sustainable approach taken included incorporating guidance within the EPBD (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) and NZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Buildings). Specifically, after a ‘fabric first’ approach to the building with air permeability, other elements included a full roof of integrated solar photovoltaics, and reversible ground source heat pumps for both heating and active cooling applications with desuperheaters for hot water generation. In addition, ground loops in excess of 100m deep that allowed for passive cooling by rejecting the building’s heat into the ground during ideal conditions were included. All opportunities to improve sustainability of the building were considered, including ridge mounted wind turbines, solar hot water generation, passive underfloor cooling, and adaptive shading. As a result, ground source heat pump


technology is now generating approximately 215,000 kWh per annum of heat and offering a simple payback of approximately seven years due to 20-year fixed government Renewable Heat Incentives (RHIs). The full roof of integrated solar photovoltaics also generates up to 147kW/hr of electricity. By offering technology that provides payback over its lifespan (such as GSHP and


June 2022 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 19


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