Future thinking - innovation in practice

"Working on a development of this scale required engineering solutions tailored to the demands of tall-building design, from phased pumping strategies to complex drainage systems and extensive life safety systems. With 756 apartments distributed across two towers of 34 and 49 stories, repeatability was a central design principle amongst the team, driving extensive prefabrication of utility cupboards, bathroom pods, plant skids, and, ultimately, complete corridor sections to improve quality, efficiency, and buildability during construction

As a Digital Design specialist at Max Fordham, one of the most rewarding aspects of the project was successfully securing buy-in from the client and architect to celebrate elements of the building services design rather than conceal them. In select key communal spaces, exposed services became part of the architectural language - showcasing the technical design, coordination and design team collaboration that often remains hidden behind a ceiling."

“It was early in my embodied carbon modelling days, and I was surprised by what contributed most to the project's embodied carbon. Usually, you expect a very traditional material, such as terracotta tiles, that have been used for centuries, to be some of the lowest embodied carbon materials that make up a building. However, because of the firing process, they accounted for a larger share of the upfront carbon in what was otherwise a predominantly timber building. It really hammered home the fact that embodied carbon is not just about where a material comes from but also how it is processed.“

“Middlesbrough Old Town Hall, is a Grade II listed building in Middlehaven. Over the years, it has contributed to the social, political, and cultural life of the community. Despite multiple renovations and partial demolitions, it has fallen into disrepair and has been uninhabited since. Its renovation will transform it into high-quality office space for the rapidly expanding digital and creative sector in Middlesbrough, supporting economic growth and attracting inward investment - it's the flagship project as part of a wider regeneration of a huge area of Middlesbrough.

The architect was on board with the passive design principles that we put forward such as introducing openable roof vents for natural ventilation, including external brise soleil on the south-facing, new-build windows to minimise unwanted solar gain, introducing secondary glazing to historic windows and including high-performance glazing in new build areas. We worked really hard to remove the need for active cooling - which we also verified through extensive thermal modelling. This ensures we're handing to the client not only an energy efficient, low carbon building, but a building with running costs minimised.“

“I don't think anything quite like this has been successfully implemented at this scale before, and it's proven to work, with airtightness results coming close to the Passivhaus new-build limit. 

The value of this innovation goes beyond the energy and carbon savings, impressive though those are. What's particularly important is the precedent it has set for the industry, showing what is possible on a retrofit project.“

“A combination of careful detailing developed by Buttress and us, and excellent attention to detail from Eric Wright Construction, has led to the best-ever airtightness result for a large apartment building in the UK. This will deliver low energy bills and high comfort for residents by prioritising design and construction quality in ways that do not add cost or complication to the project.“

“We're aiming to achieve EnerPHit-level airtightness, targeting a rate of 1.0 ACH by improving insulation, utilising Diathonite and wood-fibre board for insulation. We’ve done detailed WUFI hygrothermal modelling to measure thermal performance while managing moisture risk within the existing building fabric. The replacement of existing windows with triple-glazed, highly airtight units also improves thermal performance, reduces draughts and supports the overall airtightness and energy strategy for the building.  

We’re also actively exploring the use of reclaimed steel to reduce embodied carbon impact, which requires collaboration across the supply chain and commitment to circular economy principles. We’ve already highlighted existing steel for reuse in temporary works.“

“This is a really interesting leisure centre project, with two swimming pools, a gym, fitness studios and outdoor sports facilities. As part of the Passivhaus team, I'm providing guidance on the principles of Passivhaus design to minimise operational energy use and ensure user comfort.  

As a leisure centre project, it involves complex use profiles and energy requirements, but one highlight has been working with the Max Fordham Edinburgh MEP team. They bring extensive leisure centre and low carbon experience to the project, providing the mechanical, electrical and plumbing design services.“

“It’s aiming to be highly sustainable and reuse as much as possible; it’s a UK NZCBS pilot project and is now pursuing formal verification. The retrofitted building is expected to consume 65% less energy, will be fossil fuel-free, and utilise air-source heat pumps.  We’re working to achieve water neutrality, so exemplary water consumption performance levels are specified for sanitaryware and we’re incorporating a rainwater harvesting system. Heritage items such as fixtures and fittings will be retained and we’re looking at relocating and reusing the building's existing photovoltaic panels.“