G&H Combine Old With New at The Roundhouse for Derby College

Historical Landmark

 

Built in 1839, the site and associated buildings were used for maintenance and repair of North Midland Railway steam trains and cranes.

 

The Derby Roundhouse site stands as part of the earliest railway works in Britain that remain substantially intact today.

 

Existing buildings are listed Grade II and consist of the derelict former round house and turntable together with railway workshops, carriage works, offices and clock tower.

 

The roundhouse itself is the most prestigious of the existing buildings; this building is one of the oldest in the world remaining today. ‘Built to last’, it was constructed using 16 perimeter solid brick walls covered by a timber roof, while inside a circular colonnade of 16 cast iron columns supported the roofs elaborate truss system.

 

Adjoining the Roundhouse are two existing buildings; the carriage shop, a 4 story office complex and clock tower which can be easily recognised by being the highest point on the site.

 

Also on the site is a two storey and single storey stand-alone engine workshop.

 

The Roundhouse and associated buildings were used to manufacture and repair railway engines for over 120 years employing thousands of local residents who remain sentimentally attached to the site today, inscribing Derby into the annuals of railway history.

 

Proposed Development

 

The proposed development comprises of 2 new buildings and the refurbishment of existing listed buildings.

 

The complex is to be re-developed into a flagship educational development for Derby College focusing primarily on the following teaching facilities:
 

  • Engineering & Construction
  • Building Services
  • I.T.
  • Hair & Beauty
  • Performing Arts
  • Art & Design

In addition to the above educational areas, the development also include a Resources Area, Food Court, Staff Rooms, Toilet / Circulation areas, Break out Areas, Seminar Rooms, Reception and other general ancillary spaces. 

 

The extent of the new buildings are as follows:

  • Link Building - This building links between the carriage shop and engine shop. A crisp and contemporary design compliments the overall scheme without detracting the grandeur of the existing buildings. 

  • Annex Building - This is a standalone modern 3 storey functional building sited to the north of the site.

This proposed restoration project is viewed by Derby as more than a city centre refurbishment; it’s more of a celebration of the city’s past and a symbol of its future engineering prowess.

In addition to being Derby Colleges Flagship site, the Roundhouse will be a visitor centre and social hub were people can learn about the city’s history.

 

Mechanical and Electrical Services

 

Imtech G&H were awarded the £7m project on a Design and Build basis in March 2007. Design & co-ordination commenced with the appointed Architects (Maber Associates), English Heritage and Local Building Control Officers. This established design principals and construction techniques which are to be implemented to sympathise and enhance the existing building features and characteristics.

 

With the Mechanical and Electrical design ongoing, the buildings refurbishment began on site in March 2008. The overall completion date is March 2009

 

The main objective for the M&E Building Services were to provide a practical and comfortable environment which compliment the facilities of the college and which maximise the opportunities available for energy efficiency.

 

Electrical Services Installation

 

The Electrical Services to be provided by Imtech G&H consist of the following:

 

  • Incoming Electricity Supply
  • Mains & Sub Main Distribution
  • General Power
  • General Emergency & External Lighting with Automatic Lighting Controls
  • Fire Alarms
  • Security, Access Control & CCTV Systems
  • Voice & Data Installation including wireless networks with UPS Back up
  • Supplies to Mechanical Equipment
  • Disabled Refuge, DWC Alarms, Fixed and Portable Induction Loops
  • Lift Supplies
  • Lightning Protection

The lighting schemes have all been designed to enhance the industrial surroundings, in sympathy with the Grade II listed building, closely following the industrial feel sought by the architects, but still providing luminance to the levels required to provide adequate safe working.

 

The Fire Alarm systems have been designed to an L1 categorisation. Automatic detection is used throughout, supplemented by the use of Aspirating systems and beam detection where the aesthetics of the existing architecture could otherwise be compromised. The system is designed to be a “one out all out“ cause and effect to the individual buildings, supplemented by the fire compartmentation of each building.

 

The Security, Access Control and CCTV systems have all been designed to provide a safe environment for staff, students and visitors both in and out of hours.

 

Mechanical Services Installation

 

The Mechanical Services and systems to be provided by Imtech G&H consist of the following: 

  • Domestic Services to Toilet Areas
  • LPHW Unit Heater Scheme, Radiant Panels & Radiators
  • Fan Convectors & Unit Heaters
  • Gas Fired radiant Heating
  • Ventilation De-Stratification Fans
  • Toilet Extract and general extract systems
  • Mechanical Tempered Supply & Extract Air
  • VRV equipment
  • Soil & Waste Drainage from the Toilet Areas
  • Rainwater Harvesting Service to provide water to WC Cisterns
  • Heat Recovery
  • Passivent Ventilation to various rooms
  • Gas service to various fit out areas
  • BMS System site wide
  • Thermal Insulation

The Mechanical Engineering Services are to provide a comfortable environment for occupants, maximising the opportunities available for energy efficiency, whilst in keeping with the Grade II listed status of the existing buildings.

 

Mechanical services to new build areas of the project are ‘Schools Building Bulletin’ compliant. This includes a fully engineered natural ventilation solution to the annexe building featuring acoustically rated façade louvre inlets linked to roof mounted stack terminals, meeting the acoustic constraints of the project.  Natural ventilation systems are designed to enable night-time venting to utilise the thermal mass of the building to pre-cool the internal areas during summer months.

 

The scheme incorporates a number of low energy and renewable solutions including rainwater harvesting, heat recovery systems, and high efficiency condensing boiler plant.