September 18, 2024
Brooklands Park, Phase 5 is an eight-block low-rise apartment and housing development ranging from three to four levels, delivering 174 social and private ownership apartments and 38 homes. The development was designed to blend comfort, sustainability, and efficiency. Among the considerations, the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems play a critical role in ensuring the development's habitability, functionality, and sustainability.
We examine the intricacies of the MEP design that is tailored for low-rise residential buildings and explore how these systems enhance residents' living experiences while promoting environmental responsibility.
Unleashing the Power of Nature
One primary objective of MEP design for low-rise residential blocks is to create environments that maintain optimal comfort year-round. Efficient hot water, heating and ventilation systems are strategically integrated to regulate indoor temperatures, ensuring residents remain cosy during colder months and cool during hot spells.
The apartments are equipped with a Hot Water Heat Pump (HWHP), a system that utilises advanced heat pump technology to consume up to three times less electricity than a standard electric water heater. This provides significant operational savings and reduces energy consumption, making it an efficient and cost-effective choice for development.
The system efficiently heats water using heat from the ambient air, with the efficiency determined by external temperature.
The HWHP is seamlessly integrated into a Hot Water Cylinder (HWC) and ducted to the external façade, enhancing the development's aesthetic appeal. This design choice not only improves the building's visual aspect but also eliminates the need for an external plant space, further enhancing the overall look and feel of the development.
Enabling Feedback
The Heat Controller empowers residents to assume control of their HWHP. Residents can achieve optimal performance and efficiency through the integrated application by remotely adjusting and monitoring their hot water consumption. This sophisticated system offers enhanced control and convenience, enabling residents to tailor their hot water heating preferences while maximising energy savings.
Breathe Easy
In addition to temperature control, ventilation and indoor air quality (IAQ) are paramount for residents' well-being.
We coordinated the ventilation systems in the low-rise residential blocks to provide adequate fresh air circulation while remaining cost-efficient. The scheme uses centralised mechanical ventilation systems (cMEV). It incorporates ventilation to enhance IAQ, promoting a healthier living environment.
Efficient Lighting
Energy-efficient lighting, such as LED lamps and fixtures, minimises electricity consumption while providing ample illumination for residents.
The lighting control in the communal areas combines photocells and passive infrared technology to ensure maximum energy efficiency. This also maximises the use of daylight within the space, reduces reliance on artificial lighting, and enhances the visual appeal of interior spaces, fostering a connection with the outdoors.
Sustainable Warmth
Electric panel heaters were used as they offer an efficient and sustainable heating solution. The heaters, powered by electricity, can be integrated seamlessly with renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic systems (PV), aligning with efforts towards sustainable living and net-zero operation. Using clean energy, electric panel heaters reduce carbon emissions associated with traditional fossil fuel heating methods, contributing to a lower overall environmental footprint.
Their precise temperature control and zone heating capabilities optimise energy usage, further enhancing efficiency and supporting net-zero goals. With their minimal embodied carbon and energy-efficient operation, electric panel heaters provide a practical and environmentally friendly heating solution.
Renewable Resilience
To bolster sustainability efforts and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources, the Mechanical and Electrical Systems incorporated renewable energy technologies. Subject to tenure, the scheme uses technologies like HWHP and Landlord Photovoltaic (PV) or Residential Photovoltaic (PV) Systems. By leveraging renewable energy sources, our client has lowered operating costs, decreased carbon emissions, and contributed to a more resilient and sustainable built environment.
The Landlord Photovoltaic System reduces the overall electricity consumption on-site by local generation. The system can offset electricity costs associated with common areas and shared facilities such as Bin and Cycle Stores, ultimately reducing operational expenses.
The Residential Photovoltaic System utilises a technology that facilitates sharing solar energy among multiple apartments. This innovative system monitors the energy demand of each connected unit and intelligently directs the solar-generated electricity to units where it can be most efficiently utilised. By optimising energy distribution in real-time, the system ensures that excess solar energy is utilised in the best possible way, resulting in increased self-consumption and reduced reliance on the grid. The system's advanced monitoring and management capabilities promote energy equity and sustainability, empowering communities to embrace renewable energy sources and reduce their environmental impact collectively.
Seamless Safety
A natural smoke ventilation system plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of occupants in all the Apartment Blocks. Designed to remove smoke in the event of a fire, such a system is essential to protect evacuation routes. It minimises the spread of fire and toxic fumes throughout the building. Strategically placed smoke shafts and vents facilitate the extraction of smoke from stairwells and corridors, helping to maintain visibility and improve the chances of safe evacuation for residents and entry of the Fire Service. The system is triggered automatically, and this activates the actuators to allow the ventilation to occur. This enhances the overall fire safety of the building and ensures compliance with regulatory standards outlined in Approved Document B.
Net Zero in Operation
The low-rise residential buildings are entirely electrically powered; the buildings at Brooklands Park, Phase 5, will have the inherent capability to become net zero immediately upon occupancy. Residents will need to procure a green energy tariff to achieve this. The development delivers by minimising its carbon footprint and positively enabling residents to contribute to environmental sustainability and reduce their carbon footprint.
Conclusion
The MEP design developed by the Crest Nicholson plc, SNG (Sovereign Network Group), SAUNDERS Architecture + Urban Design and RHB Partnership LLP team has played a vital role in shaping the functionality, comfort, and sustainability of the low-rise residential development at Brooklands Park, Phase 5. By prioritising thermal comfort, indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and renewable energy integration, Crest Nicholson plc, our client, has created living spaces that meet residents' needs and expectations. It minimises environmental impact and embodied carbon therefore promoting long-term sustainability.
Client Feedback
‘Throughout the whole project, we have found RHB to be hands-on and proactive when assisting with client requirements, and instrumental in finding solutions when issues and variations occur as we developed the scheme together. We look forward to continuing our relationship into the next project.’
Associate Director at SAUNDERS Architecture + Urban Design
‘From the moment I contacted RHB they were nothing but helpful, friendly and very approachable. Their team assigned to Brooklands Park and has been nothing short of amazing since. They are knowledgeable, personable and always there to help without complaints. I have recommended RHB to all of my colleagues as a reputable and reliable consultant who we hope to work with for a long time in the future.’
Technical Coordinator at Crest Nicholson plc
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