HND Construction

Design Technology-ASS- 2
Sustainability and Buildability
A number of universities are currently building centres that can be used for conferences
connected with their research activities. The new Bradford university conference centre
is situated between their IPI building and the corner research facility. Both buildings are
for research work rather than teaching so their proximity to the conference centre is an
essential part of the design brief. Like most institutions Bradford University is also keen
to commission green buildings which by their environmental rating (breem) attract grants
from various bodies within the EU. The conference centre’s location raises many build-
ability issues most of which limit its use of sustainable development technologies.

Sustainable design aims;

The deign aims for all of the new university’s and college buildings should try to include
the sustainable development technologies listed below;

 Using sustainable materials and techniques for the construction of the project.
 Replacing traditional cladding materials with green systems.
 Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from the development.
 Reducing energy consumption by using sustainable insulation techniques.
 Using clean energy sources for heating, lighting and power (Solar, wind, heat
pump)
 Generating power onsite using renewable energy sources (micro generation).
 Water heating and space heating using renewable energy sources.
 SUDS and rainwater harvesting methods.
 Specifying renewable materials or using recycled materials
 Provision of natural ventilation, control of solar gain and providing a natural
indoor environment.
 Sustainable treatment of sewage and other waste materials produced by the
project.

A sustainable building contains many features which are pacifically designed to make the
best use of renewable resource both the initial construction and for the running cost and
maintenance of that construction. In terms of materials timber and timber products forms
the largest group and can be used for framing, cladding and roof covering. At the
university conference centre a green roof is the main sustainable feature but timber
cladding has also been used extensively as a decorative finish and a cladding material. If
possible these materials should be locally sourced to reduce the transport cost and use of
home grown timber should be encouraged where ever possible.

When inspecting the Conference centre to check if any of the above sustainable
technology have been used in the construction of this project. I have noticed that from the
initial inspection of the project that are only 3 or 4 sustainable technology from the list
above have been used in this project such as;
 1. Using sustainable materials and techniques for the construction of the
project. Sustainable materials on the project are the use of green (grass)
roof and natural timber cladding on each side of the conference centre.
2. Replacing traditional cladding materials with green systems. Timber
cladding and the use of green roof fulfils this requirement.
3. Reducing energy consumption by using sustainable insulation
techniques. This is used in the project especially where the grass roof has
been used.
4. Specifying renewable materials or using recycled materials. Use of green
roof and the timber cladding meets the requirements.

The rest of the sustainable technology techniques have not been used in this project or
There is no evidence which would tell one that these are included in the design;

 Using clean energy sources for heating, lighting and power (Solar, wind, heat
pump)
 Generating power onsite using renewable energy sources (micro generation)
 Provision of natural ventilation, control of solar gain and providing a natural
indoor environment.

The three sustainable technologies used in the construction of the conference

centre are;

1. Green Roof
2. Natural Timber Cladding
3. Sustainable Insulation

GREEN ROOF

Green roofs are basically roofs where, instead of having tiling or felt as the outside layer,
a mat consisting of either sedum or other succulents, grasses or moss is the visible layer.
Underneath the living mat, a drainage system is installed, bespoke to the roof as different
roofs and situations require different solutions. There are many different advantages to
green roofs from excellent insulation capabilities, aiding in planning applications to
simply looking good.

There are two main types of green roofs – extensive and intensive.
More often than not, the roof's structure, for example the pitch, and load bearing
capabilities determine which type of green roof is required.

Extensive – Extensive roofs are generally used on larger roofs where weight can be an
issue and also the amount of maintenance is a consideration. There are fewer drainage
layers and, as the construction is simplified, the cost is therefore lowered. Extensive roofs
are also often used where the ecological benefits are paramount as they are more cost
effective in the long run.

Intensive – Intensive roofs are often used in the domestic market, where an aesthetic
solution is perhaps more important than an economical one. The drainage systems in
place may be more complex and also the living mat itself may hold more plants and more
varieties. An intensive green roof may well also incorporate trees, shrubs, as well as
pathways and patios for enjoyment by people, these types of green roofs may also be
referred to as roof gardens.

There are many different reasons why green roofs are important to us. Firstly, as global
warming becomes more and more of an issue, and towns and cities expand, green space
is becoming more and more important. Green roofs are particularly useful at filtering out
pollutants from the air and as such, purifying it. This ensures a greater quality of life for
everybody. Also, with the increase in building work, the natural habitats of many small
animals and insects are being destroyed; green roofs provide a haven for this type of
fauna, thus increasing their chances of survival. Green roofs also act as superb active
insulation, helping keep a building cool in summer, yet warmer in winter. This again
helps not only save money, but also resources in the production of power. Green roofs
also improve the aesthetics of a building, especially when the plants flower, with small
blooms of yellow, pink, white and red flowers appearing at different times of the year.
These aesthetic qualities also help dramatically when applying for planning permission
for new buildings as, not only does the green roof actively remove pollutants from the
new site, it may be used to disguise or even hide the new development.

Disadvantages of green roofs

Some disadvantages that have been found in the use of green roofs include the need to
strengthen the structural support of some existing roofs being retrofit to accommodate a
green roof, and the fact that green roof vegetation is often not designed to be walked on
by humans. Since most green roof designs originate in Europe, it is also sometimes
necessary to adapt those designs for the differing climatic conditions of other areas.
Green roofs have more demanding structural standards. Many existing buildings cannot
be retrofitted to have a green roof because of the weight load requirements for the soil
and vegetation. A concrete roof deck makes a green roof much more feasible, as opposed
to a metal or wood roof deck. Green roofs also have more exacting standards for the roof
system to be installed beneath it, as finding and repairing a leak under 4-12 inches of soil
and vegetation is an expensive endeavor.

NATURAL TIMBER CLADDING

There is a growing interest amongst architects, developers, councils and self-builders in

the use of timber for cladding; not only for domestic construction but also for much
larger and more prestigious buildings. A prime reason for this interest is a recognition of
the green qualities of timber as a building material.

Timber cladding is a dry process which reduces construction time on site. The renewed
interest in using wood to clad timber buildings has also extended to the use of wood to
clad block work, concrete or steel framed buildings. Although usually chosen for visual
reasons and used as a rain screen to the wall behind, there is an additional advantage in
that it allows extra insulation to be located outside a masonry wall behind the boarding.
This insulation may provide the full thermal performance of the building or contribute to
improving the insulation of existing buildings

Timber cladding is an attractive and economical way to finish the exterior of both new
and old buildings. Wood, such as larch, provides a hardwearing, protective layer against
the elements, and it is an excellent insulator. External timber cladding provides an
attractive, economic and environmentally friendly way for designers and specifiers to
complete buildings. As the type and form of construction in the UK changes to embrace
the concepts of sustainable Timber Frame development, improved energy efficiency and
increased fabrication, timber cladding's popularity is set to rise even further

The benefits of external timber cladding

Timber cladding can offer a unique combination of benefits of value to both urban and
rural areas.

 Improved energy efficiency

 Environmentally friendly
 Promotion of good design and sitting
  Encouraging originality and innovation
 Overcoming the disadvantages of remoteness e.g. high building costs
 Durable & long lasting
 A good insulator
 Stimulating the prudent use of natural resources
 Supporting local economic development
 Increasing the use of local raw materials

Sustainable Insulation

The insulation that has been used in different parts of this building is, 300mm thick fibre
glass or slag wool insulation in the ceilings, full cavity wall insulation at 150mm and
under floor insulation of 225mm. big window on the south facing provides natural
daylight which is converted in to heat using the double glazed windows.

Insulation and environment

The focus of today’s architects, specifiers and builders is on sustainability — building for
longevity while conserving the environment. This means choosing building products that
minimize the impact on the environment, such as fiber glass and rock and slag wool
insulations.
When evaluating the most relevant attributes of an environmentally preferable insulation
product, specifiers should consider using a “cradle to grave” approach. This means
considering a fuller range of life-cycle characteristics:

Insulation is a key component of sustainable building design. A well insulated buildings

reduces energy bills by keeping warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and this in
turn cuts down carbon emissions linked to global climate change.
In terms of energy efficiency, investing in high levels of insulation materials for your
project is more cost-effective than investing in expensive heating technologies. It is worth
taking the time to choose the right materials in the context of whole building design.
Insulation materials are used in roofs, walls and floors. Solid wall structures such as
stone, cob and adobe cannot be insulated, but they have good thermal mass to
compensate. Timber frame homes need wall insulation in the form of batts (pre-cut
sections that are designed to fit between stud walls), rolls or boards. Other types of
construction such as brick or concrete insulate with spray foam, loose fill or rolls. It is far
easier and cheaper to install insulation in the walls and floors of a new build, than to
retrofit an existing building. However, insulating roofs is easily achieved in any building
or home using rolls or bags of loose fill.

Insulation materials work by resisting heat flow, measured by an R-value (the higher the
R-value, the greater the insulation). This R-value varies according to material type,
density and thickness, and is affected by thermal bridging, unwanted heat flow that
occurs at joists, studs and rafter beams.

Conventional Insulation
Conventional insulation materials are made from petrochemicals and include: fibreglass,
mineral wool, polystyrene, polyurethane foam, and multi-foils. These materials are
widely used because not only are they inexpensive to buy and install, but there is an
assumption from the building industry that their performance ability is higher than the
natural alternatives. On the downside, almost all conventional insulation materials
contain a wide range of chemical fire retardants, adhesives and other additives, and the
embodied energy in the manufacturing process is very high.

Natural Insulation Materials

The green alternative to synthetic insulation is natural insulation. There are many
different types available, including:

Sheep's Wool
This material usually needs to be treated with chemicals to prevent mite infestation and
reduce fire risk, although some natural builders use it untreated with success, it has good
thermal conductivity (0.038W/mK). It has very low embodied energy (unless it is
imported) and performs exceptionally well as an insulation material. Thermafleece is the
most common commercial brand available.

Flax and Hemp

Natural plant fibres that are available in batts and rolls, and typically contain borates that
acts as a fungicide, insecticide and fire retardant. Potato starch is added to flax as a
binder. Both materials have low embodied energy and are often combined in the same
product. The material is fireproof to B2 equivalent, treated with Boron to resist mould,
fungi, insects and rodents; it has good thermal conductivity (0.039W/mK. Examples
include Isonat and Flax 100.

Cellulose
A recycled product made from newsprint and other cellulose fibre. It is one of the most
favoured materials of natural builders because it can be blown into cavity walls, floors
and roofs; used as a loose fill; and is also available in quilts, boards and batts it has good
thermal conductivity (0.036W/mK). Like hemp and flax it contains borate as an additive.
Products include: Warm cell and Ecocel.
Wood Fibre
Made from wood chips that have been compressed into boards or batts using water or
natural resins as a binder. It has very low embodied energy and uses by-products from the
forestry industry. Examples include: Pavatex, Thermo wall and Homatherm.

Expanded Clay Aggregate

These are small fired clay pellets that expand at very high temperatures to become
lightweight, porous and weight-bearing. They can be used in foundations as both an
insulator and aggregate. They have excellent thermal insulation properties, but high
embodied energy.

Insulating for a Better Environment

Natural insulation products have many advantages over conventional materials. They are
low impact, made from renewable, organic resources and have low embodied energy.
They can be reused and recycled, and are fully biodegradable. They are non-toxic,
allergen-free and can be safely handled and installed. They also allow for a building to
breathe by regulating humidity through their absorbent properties, and reducing problems
of condensation. This keeps the indoor environment comfortable and protects any timber
structures from rot.

Unfortunately, natural insulation materials are currently up to four times more expensive
than conventional materials, which can be prohibitive to builders, architects and
developers. But the environmental and health benefits of natural insulation materials far
outweigh their costs, and growing consumer demand combined with government
regulation, and rising oil prices will inevitably drive prices down. Despite the high price,
natural insulation is an energy-efficient, healthy and sustainable choice for a better indoor
and outdoor environment.

There are ways of making this building more sustainable in terms of energy cost. By
using Micro generation, electricity can be produced locally using wind turbines solar
panels or small scale hydro power. Or it can also be achieved by purchasing power from
a green energy supplier which shows financial benefits through the life time of the
building. It should not be forgotten that solar gain from the south facing windows can be
considerable and can considerably reduce the heating cost.

The three sustainable technologies that should have been used in the conference centre to
take advantage on a windy site with a south facing elevation are;

 Using clean energy sources for heating, lighting and power (Solar, wind, heat
pump) Solar panels)
 Generating power onsite using renewable energy sources (micro generation).
(Wind turbine)
 SUDS and rainwater harvesting methods(SUDS)
Solar panels

When designing the appropriate technology to take advantage of the south facing
elevation i would request that in this project, Solar design in architecture would involve
the use of appropriate solar technologies to maintain a building’s environment at a
comfortable temperature through the sun's daily and annual cycles. I as a designer may do
this by storing solar energy as heat in the walls of a building, which then acts to heat the
building at night. Another approach is to keep the interior cool during a hot day by
designing in natural convection through the building’s interio. I would also install the
solar heating system which would be used to heat the water or for space heating.
Many technologies have been developed to make use of solar radiation. Some of these
technologies make direct use of the solar energy (e.g. to provide light, heat, etc.), while
others produce electricity

Advantages
 Solar energy is free - it needs no fuel and produces no waste or pollution.
 In sunny countries, solar power can be used where there is no easy way to get
electricity to a remote place.
 Handy for low-power uses such as solar powered garden lights and battery
chargers
 Inexhaustible fuel source
 No pollution
 Often an excellent supplement to other renewable sources
 Versatile--is used for powering items as diverse as solar cars and satellites

Disadvantages
 Very diffuse source means low energy production--large numbers of solar panels
(and thus large land areas) are required to produce useful amounts of heat or
electricity
 Only areas of the world with lots of sunlight are suitable for solar power
generation
 Doesn't work at night.
 Very expensive to build solar power stations
 Solar cells cost a great deal compared to the amount of electricity they'll produce
in their lifetime.
 Can be unreliable unless you're in a very sunny climate. In the United Kingdom,
solar power isn't much use except for low-power applications, as you need a very
 large area of solar panels to get a decent amount of power. However, for these
applications it's definitely worthwhile.

Solar water heating

Heat from the Sun is used to heat water in glass panels on the
building roof. This means that one don't need to use so much

gas or electricity to heat

water in the proposed
project.

Water is pumped through

pipes in the panel. The pipes are painted black, so they get hot when the Sun shines on
them. This helps out the central heating system, and cuts the fuel bills.

Solar heating systems

Solar hot water systems use sunlight to heat water. They may be used to heat domestic
hot water or for space heating. These systems are basically composed of solar thermal
collectors and a storage tank. The three basic classifications of solar water heaters are:

 Active systems which use pumps to circulate water or a heat transfer fluid.
 Passive systems which circulate water or a heat transfer fluid by natural
circulation. These are also called thermosiphon systems.
 Batch systems using a tank directly heated by sunlight.

A Trombe wall is a passive solar heating and ventilation system consisting of an air
channel sandwiched between a window and a sun-facing wall. Sunlight heats the air
space during the day causing natural circulation through vents at the top and bottom of
the wall and storing heat in the thermal mass. During the evening the Trombe wall
radiates stored heat.
A transpired collector is an active solar heating and ventilation system consisting of a
perforated sun-facing wall which acts as a solar thermal collector. The collector pre-heats
air as it is drawn into the building's ventilation system through the perforations. These
systems are inexpensive and commercial models have achieved efficiencies above 70%.
Most systems pay for themselves within 4-8 years.

Solar lighting
Solar lighting or daylighting is the use of natural light to provide illumination.
Daylighting offsets energy use in electric lighting systems and reduces the cooling load
on HVAC systems (this assumes that daylighting is replacing incandescent lighting,
which produces more heat than light). The use of natural light also offers physiological
and psychological benefits, although this is difficult to quantify.
Daylighting features include building orientation, window orientation, exterior shading,
sawtooth roofs, clerestory windows, light shelves, skylights and light tubes.[13] These
features may be incorporated in existing structures but are most effective when integrated
in a solar design package which accounts for factors such as glare, heat gain, heat loss
and time-of-use. The Architectural trends increasingly recognize daylighting as a
cornerstone of sustainable design.

Wind turbine
The building is at a high and windy point which gives the huge potential for wind turbine
to be fitted to take advantage of the wind and convert it in to the energy that would be
used in this building. This is if the planning permission has been granted to fit the wind
turbine and to be used as a source to produce energy. A 15Kw wind turbine could provide
up to 50% of the centre’s electricity.
We can use the energy in the wind by building a tall tower, with a large propeller on the
top. The wind blows the propeller round, which turns a generator to produce electricity.
The blades on the wind turbine can be angled to "fine" or "coarse" pitch, to cope with
varying wind speeds, and the generator and propeller can turn to face the wind whichever
direction it blows from. Some designs use vertical turbines, which don't need to be turned
to face the wind. The towers are tall, to get the propellers as high as possible, up to where
the wind is stronger. This means that the land beneath can still be used for other
activities.

Advantages
 Wind is free, wind farms need no fuel.
 Produces no waste or greenhouse gases.
 The land beneath can usually still be used for farming.
 Wind farms can be tourist attractions.
 A good method of supplying energy to remote areas.
 Inexhaustible fuel source
 No pollution
 Often an excellent supplement to other renewable sources
Disadvantages
 The wind is not always predictable - some days have no wind.
 Suitable areas for wind farms are often near the coast, where land is expensive.
 Some people feel that covering the landscape with these towers is unsightly.
 Can kill birds - migrating flocks tend to like strong winds.
 Can affect television reception if you live nearby.
 Can be noisy. Wind generators have a reputation for making a constant, low,
"swooshing" noise day and night, which can become annoying. An entire wind
farm makes quite a racket! Having said that, the small modern wind generators
used on boats and caravans make hardly any noise, and as aerodynamic designs
have improved, modern wind farms are much quieter.
 Very diffuse source means low energy production--large numbers of wind
generators (and thus large land areas) are required to produce useful amounts of
heat or electricity
 Only areas of the world with lots of wind are suitable for wind power generation
 Relatively expensive to maintain

SUDS (SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS)

Sustainable drainage systems (known as SUDS) offer an alternative approach to
traditional drainage. SUDS employ a whole suite of techniques to effectively manage
drainage at source including dry ditches (swales), detention/attenuation ponds, and
integrated constructed wetlands, all of which aim to detain run-off and release it slowly
into watercourses or to ground. Source control techniques are also increasingly popular -
such as the use of porous (as opposed to impermeable) paving and 'green roofs' which
allow rainwater re-use.

Sustainable drainage is a concept that includes long term environmental and social factors
in decisions about drainage. It takes account of the quantity and quality of runoff, and the
amenity value of surface water in the urban environment. Many existing urban drainage
systems can cause problems of flooding, pollution or damage to the environment and are
not proving to be sustainable.

Sustainable drainage systems are designed using the same underlying principles of
hydrology and hydraulics as conventional drainage systems, but applying them in a
different way. Alongside the purely technical issues are wider considerations of amenity
and environmental enhancement.

Drainage systems can be developed in line with the ideals of sustainable development, by
balancing the different issues that should be influencing the design. Surface water
drainage methods that take account of quantity, quality and amenity issues are
collectively referred to as Sustainable Drainage Systems (SUDS). These systems are
more sustainable than conventional drainage
Any proposed new surface water drainage systems at a site should be designed to not
only deal with the problem of surface water run off, but it should also enhance the site
considerably for children and nearby residents.
Why consider SUDS?
  It can save money
 It can reduce pollution
 It can introduce improved methods of surface water design
 It can improve the environment.
 It can reduce the risk of flooding
 It can infiltrate water back into the ground locally

How do SUDS do this?

 By introducing into a surface water system the following -
 Porous pavements to roads and car parks
 Infiltration trenches to roads, car parks and drainage
 Infiltration basins as storage tanks
 Permeable conveyance systems or French drains
 Swales to slow surface water flows
 Passive treatment systems such as filter strips, detention basins, retention ponds
and wetlands

These SUDS systems offer the following advantages;

 They reflect the natural drainage of the site and give sustainable management of
the water environment
 They offer considerable visible safety advantages for children and adults alike
 They are very easily and economically maintained
 They create natural wildlife habitat areas which can be readily used for education
 purposes
 They offer cost effective and economic infrastructure and drainage systems
 The following sections describe and show photographs of some of the techniques
used in these systems

Swales
An example of a swale adjacent to a main road
Swales are grassland depressions, which lead water overland from the drained surface to
a storage or discharge system. When compared to a conventional ditch, a swale is shallow
and relatively wide, providing temporary storage for storm water and reducing peak
flows. During dry weather a swale will be dry.

Balancing Ponds
The first part of a Balancing Pond is usually the Detention basin, which is designed to
hold back storm runoff for a short while to allow the settlement of the solids. Detention
basins are dry outside of storm periods. All Balancing Ponds are designed to retain flood
events, reducing peak flows and limiting the risk of flooding. Solids removal is one of the
main features of detention basins, and high removal rates are possible. Nutrient and trace
metals removal is more modest. Extended detention basins incorporate a small permanent
pond or wetland, which can enhance the appearance of the basin

Porous Pavements
At a motorway service area the parking bay areas are built with porous blocks and the
rainfall from the tarmac access roads runs into these bays.

Task4

There are many varied buildability issues that affect the design and construction of the
conference centre in context with ‘visitors and conference centre at Shorne Wood Kent’
which makes the employment of sustainable techniques difficult, they are;

 The need to position the centre between two other buildings which occupy the
same ridge of high ground which runs in East/West direction
 A steeply sloping ground site with a ground level difference of up to 5 meters
between the South and North elevation of the centre
 Poor subsoil condition with saturated layers of shale’s which have very different
characteristics within each layer.
 A sandstone bearing rock suitable for foundation only existed some 7 meters
below the site surface.
 The need to provide a physical link between the two research buildings on either
side of the conference centre.
 Provisions of the main conference hall below ground level on the south side and
above ground level on the north side.
Task4
Task5

During the construction of the centre hydrostatic pressure from ground water passing
through the shale layers from South to North caused persistent flooding of the conference
hall. This problem led to extra work being carried out to waterproof the below ground RC
walls and to divert the flow away from the wall in an Easterly direction. This problem
was over come with extra construction.

There are three categories of Waterproofing - Tanking (Type A) offering the least
protection through to the highest drained protection (Type C). The type C system is most
likely to have been used in the conference centre. This system is certified by the British
Board of Agreement and is deemed fit for the purpose for use in accordance with
BS. 8102: 1990 (Type C Drained Protection).

Type A :( Tanked protection) - The structure has no resistance to water ingress and so
requires a continuous barrier applied to the structure.

Type B: (Structurally integral protection) - The structure offers the required protection to
the required grade.

Type C: (Drained protection) - Any water ingress is controlled and channelled away
from the structure via cavities formed within the walls and floor. For those seeking
maximum assurance this combination of construction and waterproofing is considered the
most effective and trouble free.

During periods of sustained or heavy rainfall, the ground surrounding the structure
becomes saturated with water. The depth of water surrounding the structure creates water
pressure relative to the depth of the saturation and the depth of the structure below the
ground. Once the pressure is greater than the resistance of the structure, leakage or
flooding occurs. TYPE C Drained system prevents the build up of hydrostatic pressure
and this type of protection is considered to be the most effective and trouble free form of
basement waterproofing. Using a cavity drain membrane system, which is categorised as
Type C. (drained protection) will offer the highest level of protection from water ingress
to the underground space

BS8102 states that a “Type C” Drained protection type of construction is considered to be

the most effective and trouble free form of basement waterproofing." The whole
document is some 38 pages long, and therefore I am unable to represent the document in
full. However I have included some pertinent paragraphs: "Almost all basement
structures are likely to be subjected to water pressure at some period of their life". "For
basements not exceeding 4m deep, a design head of ground water, three-quarters the full
depth below ground is adequate". In layman's terms BS8102 is saying that we should
always expect water ingress at some point; and that we should expect the water
surrounding the basement to be at least the depth of the basement. This is very important
as it confirms that one should always waterproof and not damp-proof any structure that is
earth retaining. Being a cavity drain membrane system as Type C. (drained protection).
When doing research I have come across
the Newton System 500 which shows
how the problem is overcome with the
retaining wall using the type C system in
the conference centre. Also there was
drainage system added along the
retaining wall to divert the water away
from the wall.

NEWTON 500 membranes (illustrated

in black on the right) allows for any
water ingress to be controlled and
discharged from the structure. When
fitted to the walls and floor of the
structure the membranes create a dry and habitable inner environment, whilst the
waterproofing carries on unnoticed behind the system. Requiring very little substrate
preparation, this system is much quicker to install than tanking products such as asphalt,
dense renders and paint on or sheet bitumastic systems.

This is one of the methods that could have been used in the conference center however in
my opinion the normal
tanking procedures were
used to divert the water
with the use of DPC and
the retaining wall which is
known as stepped faced as
a reinforced concrete. As
the water was persistent at
penetrating through the
wall, extra work was
carried out to stop the
hydrostatic pressure
building up. To stop the
building of pressure
another pre-cast concrete
retaining wall was built in
front of the one that was
already built, with all the
DPC Coursing to stop the
water penetrating through.

Task6
The high level corridor was incorporated into the design to link the research institutes on
either side of the conference centre. To achieve this link between the buildings, an
internal corridor had to be constructed through the conference centre which presented
major problems. Linking was achieved by a high level corridor through the roof space of
the lounge to allow access between the buildings as shown.

Task7

The implications of positioning the conference hall below ground level in terms of the
following buildability and sustainability issues;

 Heating, Lighting and Ventilating the Conference Hall

The conference centre losses a lot of heat partially because most of it is under ground.
The conference hall has large glazing on the south facing but it has not taken full
advantage of solar heating and because it is underground and has not taken advantage of
natural sunlight during day, which means a lot of the heat goes back out of the windows
on both elevations. This is why the extra heating will be required in the winter during the
use of the building to keep it warm and air conditioning to keep the air circulating
because it is under ground and it will soon get stuffy and hard to breathe. The conference
hall also lacks the ability to make use of the natural air from the outside because the
windows do not open, which leads to use of air conditioning. However this ventilation
system should have been looked in the light of saving cost and reducing green house
gasses by using a natural vent pipe brought in from the outside to transfer air in the
conference hall. The conference hall also lacks the ability to use the natural light even
though it has large windows because it is underground which means more energy in the
form of lighting will be used. These are environmentally friendly issues which lack the
support to decrease the energy. The amount of energy that will be used to keep the
building going will be a lot, which will be produce green house gasses and will affect the
global warming. This leads to the purpose of this building which is suppose to
environmentally friendly, which asks the question of sustainability in this building.

 Providing access (particular for the disabled from the main entrance and
lounge on the south side of the building to the North facing Conference Hall

When designing this conference hall in respect to providing access for the disable people
was not incorporated in design as well as it should have been done. Looking around the
conference hall I have noticed that that the entrance to the conference hall does not
provide levelled access to the building. It has steps on the side of the pavement and more
steps as you enter the building. Once inside the conference hall, on the north side there is
adequate space and provisions made for disable people to enter the building and the
surrounding rooms comfortable and move around to the south side and foyer. There is lift
present which provides access to other floors in the building.

Lift for the access to other floors in the building.

However in case of emergency there is no other exist for the wheel chair users other then
lift because all the fire exist have steps leading up to or come down to, which will cause a
‘slight’ problem for the people who are unable to move without the use of wheel chair.
All the fire exists signs around the building are ceiling height when at least there should
be some at the height of 900mm for disable people so they can see without straining their
self..
 Steps leading to the fire exist

Steps coming down to the fire exist

Providing access for disable has been overlooked in this project in terms of easily
accessibility.
There is fire exist present in the lecture hall but again it has steps leading to it, which
would make it difficult for wheelchair users if fire was to be on this part of the building.

Car park and access

The sloping nature of the site and surrounding access roads makes parking extremely
difficult particularly as limited availability for the other two buildings makes the area
congested.
Task 8

There are many varied buildability issues that affect the design and construction of the
conference centre in context with ‘visitors and conference centre at Shorne Wood Kent’
which makes the employment of sustainable techniques difficult, they are;

 The need to position the centre between two other buildings which occupy the
same ridge of high ground which runs in East/West direction
 A steeply sloping ground site with a ground level difference of up to 5 meters
between the South and North elevation of the centre
 Poor subsoil condition with saturated layers of shale’s which have very different
characteristics within each layer.
 A sandstone bearing rock suitable for foundation only existed some 7 meters
below the site surface.
 The need to provide a physical link between the two research buildings on either
side of the conference centre.
 Provisions of the main conference hall below ground level on the south side and
above ground level on the north side.

In Shrone Wood Kent visitors and conference centre the materials that were used to build
this project mostly consisted of sweet chestnut timber as a structure, oak joinery and
western red cedar as roof shingles to increase the sustainable materials in the building
unlike the conference hall which is built solely using steel frame and pre-cast concrete
with a little timber cladding on the outside as an attraction.

The Shrone Wood Kent building is virtually maintenance free. None of the external
timber maintenance has been decorated and the majority of the interior features self-
finished brickwork or timber. Externally, hand picked flint from the south of England is
used for the centre’s walls, while the paving were laid using recycled crushed glass
instead of sand.

Other echo friendly features in this project include the use of wind and solar power for
electricity which will be met by green energy and reduce the carbon dioxide emissions by
10 tonnes per annum as well as saving energy costs. There is also use of biomass heating
which is used with woodchip fuelled heating system. Mains water consumption is
minimised by using and recycled rainwater to flush the toilets as well as external use.

All entrances to the building feature level thresholds. The double-leaf door sets are
2400mm structural openings, while the single leaf door sets are 1250mm structural
openings. Clear unobstructed access is provided to the building from the ample car parks.
Access around the building is level and unobstructed. A DDA-compliant external ramp
and steps with timber handrail is located at the main entrance.
All doors, lining and frame are oak, contrasting with the adjoining painted wall surface.
All door furniture is stainless steel, providing a clear visual contrast.
Male and female toilets, including a provision for ambulant disable persons, are provided
at ground floor level. Disabled WCs are provided at both levels with alternative right and
left transfer.

In Shrone Wood Kent visitors and conference centre the design has been interoperated
with flair and environmental passion. Novel construction techniques and energy saving
features have been utilised without compromising the integrity of a resolutely modern
building that still manages to echo the industrial heritage and vernacular design of the
region.