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1st November 2011

1 November 2011
A Sunderland-based primary care centre is the UK's first healthcare building to be rated BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, according to its contractor, Willmott Dixon.
The company built the 5,224 square metre centre in Houghton-le-Spring in partnership with Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust.
By using technology such as 12.5 square metres of solar thermal panels to heat water, 350 square metres of photovoltaic panels to generate electricity and an 18-metre high wind-turbine, the aim is to see a reduction by a third in CO2 emissions at the centre.
The building also has ground source heat pumps that supply natural heat from the ground to the entire building. Excess heat is 'exported' to a neighbouring sports centre.
It is also equipped with electric vehicle recharging points in the car park and has a rainwater harvesting system for grey water use. Willmott Dixon was assisted by its in-house sustainability business Re-Thinking, along with architects P+HS.
Other partners involved include Mott MacDonald as M&E engineers, Cundall as structural engineer, Southern Green as landscape architect and LJJ as building services contractor.
“The health sector consumes vast amounts of energy as it’s a people-intensive business requiring high-tech equipment that’s constantly in operation,” said John Frankiewicz, chief executive of Willmott Dixon Capital Works. “This centre shows just what can be achieved to reduce running costs and will be a blueprint for future health projects around the country.
” Willmott Dixon said it has secured over £100 million of healthcare work since the summer.
Other news for Wednesday, 2 November 2011:
FM mega-mergers still a good bet
Poor deal for UK energy buyers
Willmott Dixon delivers 'Outstanding' hospital
Consultation opens for music events guide
FM blog: Overcome the barriers to give something back
A Sunderland-based primary care centre is the UK's first healthcare building to be rated BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, according to its contractor, Willmott Dixon.
The company built the 5,224 square metre centre in Houghton-le-Spring in partnership with Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust.
By using technology such as 12.5 square metres of solar thermal panels to heat water, 350 square metres of photovoltaic panels to generate electricity and an 18-metre high wind-turbine, the aim is to see a reduction by a third in CO2 emissions at the centre.
The building also has ground source heat pumps that supply natural heat from the ground to the entire building. Excess heat is 'exported' to a neighbouring sports centre.
It is also equipped with electric vehicle recharging points in the car park and has a rainwater harvesting system for grey water use. Willmott Dixon was assisted by its in-house sustainability business Re-Thinking, along with architects P+HS.
Other partners involved include Mott MacDonald as M&E engineers, Cundall as structural engineer, Southern Green as landscape architect and LJJ as building services contractor.
“The health sector consumes vast amounts of energy as it’s a people-intensive business requiring high-tech equipment that’s constantly in operation,” said John Frankiewicz, chief executive of Willmott Dixon Capital Works. “This centre shows just what can be achieved to reduce running costs and will be a blueprint for future health projects around the country.
” Willmott Dixon said it has secured over £100 million of healthcare work since the summer.
Other news for Wednesday, 2 November 2011:
FM mega-mergers still a good bet
Poor deal for UK energy buyers
Willmott Dixon delivers 'Outstanding' hospital
Consultation opens for music events guide
FM blog: Overcome the barriers to give something back