Foundation/Frame/Envelope
The structural steel building contains four wards, including a psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) and a lock rehabilitation unit.
The new build has a gross floor area of 4145m², and was constructed to meet BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standards. Alongside 56 bedrooms and supported living units, facilities include reception, staff areas, a kitchen, offices, and a large roof terrace. External works include the creation of secure landscaped gardens and a large car park.
Site Challenges
This brownfield site was logistically complex in that its 1.3 acres is bound by terraced Victorian housing to the north and east, and major arterial road Sky Blue Way to the south. We overcame these challenges via carefully planned programming, which incorporated traffic management and delivery strategies, all of which was instrumental in minimising the impact of our works.
Services
We appointed the mechanical and electrical subcontractor quickly following contract award due to the due to the criticality of the coordination and integration of the building services to all other design disciplines.
The nature and purpose of the building saw extensive security, safe, and access control measures put in place to help ensure the safety of service users, staff and visitors. This included video and key fob-entry systems and considerable CCTV, provided by mini-dome cameras that could monitor all areas without being obtrusive in size.
Heating and hot water were provided via a gas-fired CHP unit supplying a low-temperature hot water (LTHW) heating system. This was supported by Low Surface Temperature (LST) radiators throughout the building, as well as trickle vents and window restrictors in all bedroom areas.
In areas where the use of radiators was deemed unsuitable, such as in de-escalation and observation rooms, we installed VRV comfort cooling and heating systems. This rooms also incorporated anti ligature sanitaryware to help protect service-users from harm.
Environment and Social Value
The new building was designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standards, and features a green roof installed on the single-storey elements of the building.
Five students at a local technical college were welcomed to the site for a tour of works in progress to assist with their studies.
The development marks Cygnet’s first service within the West Midlands, enabling more women in the local area to access vital mental health support.