Garthwaite Pavilion, Shenley Brook End, Milton Keynes

This project consisted of a new sports and community pavilion at Shenley Brook End in Milton Keynes.

The development brief was to incorporate a community hall, changing rooms, kitchen and ancillary spaces.

The scheme was to comply with Part L2A of the Building Regulations.

Planning & Design stage

Low Carbon Box provided the SBEM Calculations (energy assessments) at post-planning stage to predict current carbon emissions and the performance of the proposed development and check excess solar gains.

Coordination with the Hinton Cook Architects and Building Services engineer was important for a balanced approach. SBEM is heavily influenced by how building services (heating, lighting, hot water, ventilation and cooling) perform. In this case, due to the showers, domestic hot water had a big influence on the SBEM assessment.

Using this process, the project team was able to confirm the design and specification to achieve significant reductions in annual carbon emissions when compared to Part L2A 2013 of the Building Regulations.

Some of the key features included are:

• Cavity wall construction with 150mm cavity to achieve 0.22 W.m2.K U value (Learn more about U value Calculations)
• Warm roof construction to achieve 0.14 W/m2.K
• Ground floor U value of 0.14 W/m2.K
• Gas fired boiler with 96% seasonal efficiency
• Gas fired hot water heaters with 98% efficiency
• 1.68 kWp Photovoltaic Panels to the roof

Using the above key enhancements, the project team implemented the specification. Low Carbon Box carried out the design stage SAP calculations based on the updated working drawings for issue to Building Control for Part L2A 2013.

As-Built Stage

Low Carbon Box monitored changes throughout the project and upon completion.

The target was 10m3/hr/m2. The contractor undertook the air tightness test and the project passed.

The as-built specification was updated with any changes and Low Carbon Box lodges and issued the air tightness test and final As-Built SBEM calculation and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Results

Key performance data from the project is outlined below:

• 1.7% reduction in annual carbon emissions
• Air tightness test = 8.28 m3/hr/m2
• EPC rating of 33 ‘B’

Low Carbon Box Services Provided

• SBEM (energy assessments)
• EPC