Foleshill Health Centre, Government case study and DQI report

Updated Government report highlights how teamwork, innovation and forward thinking provide the perfect case study in how to reach Net Zero.

The government’s net zero target aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% (from 1990 levels) by 2050, with the NHS committed to this target by 2040, the first health service to do so . To help achieve this the government’s Net Zero Strategy includes guidance and case studies for all sectors in the economy, including construction.

We are proud to say Foleshill Health Centre is used as an exemplar of excellence in the newly updated Promoting Net Zero Carbon and Sustainability in Construction document produced by the Government Commercial Function. As well as the benefits of Passivhaus, the study demonstrates the importance of value for money and how the team at Foleshill provided the ‘consistent focus’ required to ensure procurement, evaluation, contracting delivery and operation were all aligned to meet our carbon and sustainability objectives.

The Cabinet office have set out key policies and guidance for how public works projects and programmes are assessed, procured and delivered, see here for more details.

DQI Stage 5

Other good news from Foleshill includes the release of headlines figures from the Design Quality Indicator (DQI) Stage 5 report. This independent assessment compiles key analysis of 'the building in use', providing specific feedback on outcomes and an assessment of whether the initial objectives of the project have been reached. In their draft report DQI score Foleshill above 5.5 (out of 6) in all 10 categories for functionality, build quality and impact, averaging a 5.635 score. This is a remarkable result for Foleshill and its team and a vindication for the excellent teamwork and planning demonstrated throughout.

Essex Healthcare Park

Another successful outcome for our design team, this time for Rawcliffe Properties Ltd, who have obtained planning for a contemporary, two storey healthcare building, part of the privately operated Essex Healthcare Park near Chelmsford.

This success of the application underlies our ability to negotiate successful planning applications on green belt land as well as the continued development of Tooley Foster Medical. The development did not meet any national exemption criteria for new developments, but through a combination of innovative design and close attention to detail we were able to provide a compelling case in favour of our plan. And by improving the holistic experience of the health park and providing a coherent design for the new building we able to persuade planning officers of the schemes merits for patients, staff and the wider community.

A new report from Santander claims house buyers will be willing to pay almost 10 per cent more for energy efficient properties.

News from Newham

In our August newsletter we reported on two new Passivhaus designs for the London Borough of Newham. We can now announce two further Passivhaus projects for the Borough, which see us providing executive architect services and Passivhaus consultancy for another 49 homes in the borough, all constructed to the Passivhaus Classic standard.

With seven sites currently in development, Newham has committed to building all its new council homes to the Passivhaus standard. Read more from our partners at the Passivhaus Trust here.

Army & Navy: 32 energy efficient homes

Morse Close: 17 new homes

Thinking low energy...

If you are thinking about using Passivhaus design or low energy innovations for your next project or if there is anything else we may be able to help with, please get in touch; we would be more than happy to help.

You can contact us via email or on 020 8504 9711.