Latest Project

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Hamworthy Community Library, Poole, Dorset

Sector : Low Carbon Designs

The community aspect of this building may not be immediately apparent but it includes facilities for Sure Start, a café, two meeting rooms, an interview room, recording studio and, oh yes,….a public library. The building’s systems are zoned to facilitate out of normal hours use by local interest groups.
With early involvement from the whole design team and close collaboration with the client who was keen to make a “green” statement on this very public 650m2 building we initially produced an energy strategy report recommending the provision of a 1.4kWp BIPV (building integrated photo voltaic) system with PV cells integrated into the wall cladding on the front elevation of the building plus an 8.2kWp PV array on the roof – enough to offset 50% of the lighting energy demand/annum.
PV assisted Windcatchers in the two meeting rooms provide natural ventilation and air source heat pumps provide heating and cooling to areas of high solar/equipment heat gain such as the sound recording studio.
The main library area uses underfloor heating and automatically controlled windows for natural ventilation. Automatic photocell controlled dimmable and PIR controlled lighting with some scene setting is used extensively. Other services include audio visual, Freesat and structured wiring system for voice and data.
The building achieved an Energy Performance Certificate rating of 27 / B, just 2 points below an A rating and BREEAM Excellent equivalent for energy/CO2 emissions.