ollowing a strategic review of its property portfolio and a structural survey of one of its main sites, Sunderland College took the decision to close its Shiney Row campus. The building, which dated back to 1970 and was originally home to visual and performing arts students, had a number of age-related issues and, as the internal teaching facilities needed significant modernisation, the college decided a new bespoke development would create a better learning environment for students.

Looking to its Bede campus, where the existing sports facilities were also coming to the end of their life span in terms of meeting the delivery requirements of a modern day sports curriculum, it was decided to demolish this building, replacing it and the former Shiney Row campus with two purpose built structures.

Embarking on a significant £22 million investment programme, the college appointed main contractor BAM Construction to construct new buildings for sport and visual and performing arts on the one site. Not only would this significantly improve the college’s facilities, it also enabled an increase in student numbers by approximately 750, with 2500 learners now studying at Bede campus.

Energy efficiency and the creation of the most comfortable learning environment were high on the college’s agenda and were key drivers when it came to installing building services. Also, due to the range of activities taking place in each building, it was clear from the start that the mechanical and electrical services required to run them would be complex and challenging.

Both new buildings would require a high level of mechanical and electrical (M&E) services and as part of its project team, BAM Construction appointed building services design and installation specialists, Castle Building Services (Castle), at the outset – a move which would prove invaluable on such a challenging scheme.

Linking old and new

As existing buildings on the Bede campus operated off analogue equipment, Castle faced the challenge of integrating new digital systems and ensuring that all buildings on the site would be interconnected for the benefit of CCTV, burglar and fire alarms.

Due to the many functions each building would be performing, each represented its own particular set of challenges in relation to the levels and complexity of building services requirements.

In the case of the sports facility, as it features a full size sports arena capable of hosting a number of sports, it was necessary that it met Sport England’s standards. Meanwhile, in the case of the visual and performing arts building which houses a fully-functioning performance theatre, dance studios, drama studios, music recording studios, cinema room, photography studio and spaces for visual art, graphic design, media and film studies, as well as design and textiles, it was reliant on a complex system of building services.

This is particularly the case with regard to the lighting as each performance requires different effects to reflect various moods.

To meet this need, Castle installed a main system compatible with specialist theatre lighting designed and installed by Northern Lights.

A further consideration which added to the challenge for Castle was the college’s desire that no building user could move from a lit environment into darkness. The buildings’ feature lighting systems used passive infrared sensors (PIR) activated by motion – this was particularly difficult to accommodate.

Complex construction

Given the complexity of the building services role and the rooftop location of the plant rooms from which the heating systems operate, combined with the aim of achieving a BREEAM rating of Very Good, Castle chose to install various pieces of high efficiency equipment including photo voltaic panels, air handling unit equipment and two Remeha low Nox boilers. In addition to their high performance and efficiency, these particular boilers were chosen because they are both compact and lightweight.

Indeed Dave Wright from the project’s M&E design consultant, DESCO, commented of the plant room installation “it was one of the best they had ever seen.”

Speaking about the project and its complexities, Castle’s contracts manager Lee Mitchell said: “This is the first project we have carried out on behalf of BAM Construction and I believe its successful delivery is down to a number of factors, not least the fact that the design and build team forged a close and flexible working relationship with each other and the client. Added to that we were fortunate in having a client that was willing to listen and take on board sound advice. Furthermore, by using 3D modelling as well as having extensive experience of working on heavily serviced buildings, with high levels of footfall and which operate for long periods throughout the day, we were able to predict beforehand where the challenges to timely programme completion might lie.

“Throughout the project we were mindful of the importance of installing the most energy efficient building services solution possible. Running costs are increasing and the need to drive energy efficiencies for the sake of the college and environment building services are now higher on the agenda than ever before. I would go so far as to say in some cases they are taking over from the aesthetics and construction of buildings.

“On this occasion we were working for a contractor who had the utmost confidence in our abilities and involved us at the outset by allowing direct access to an end user who took the advice of the professional team. This saved both time and money and also meant that the building services team were on hand to offer support and answer any queries the client might have throughout the project’s delivery.”

Designed by Newcastle-based architect, Red Box Design, both buildings have been constructed using external finishes which ensure they sit sympathetically with the original 1920s buildings that make up the Bede campus.

Delighted with the two new buildings, which were delivered on time and to the given budget, Karen Wade, Sunderland College’s director of facilities management, commented: “This was a significant project for the college to undertake and the design and construction team have been first rate, seamlessly delivering a scheme which incorporates all our requirements.

“Both the sports and visual and performing arts buildings are a real boost to the college’s facilities and provide students with a first class learning environment in which to study, while at the same time proving highly energy and cost efficient. Since completion we have been able to increase student numbers by 750 and are now catering for some 2500 students at Bede campus alone.”

This latest scheme has been such a success that the design and build team has been appointed to carry out further work for Sunderland College on the development of its £29m flagship City Campus, which will deliver a range of vocational courses in the heart of Sunderland. This scheme is part of planned regeneration within the city centre and is important for raising the aspirations of the local community as well as the students who will study there when it opens in September 2016.