Main contractor Kier has completed the construction of UK’s first Passivhaus leisure centre, St Sidwell’s Point, for Exeter City Council, UK.
Opening its doors to the public today (29 April), the centre is designed to use up to 70% less energy, serving as an important milestone in the city’s net zero ambitions.
‘Future of sustainable construction technology’
Incorporating healthy-building biology principles, the leisure centre will adapt and evolve to the changing climate conditions up to 2080, said Kier in a press release.
St Sidwell’s Point delivered an industry leading air tightness test, the company said. The buildings performance target to achieve Passivhaus accreditation is 0.4. and the actual result was 0.3 m3/hr/m2 at 50 Pa. which is 96% better than a traditional building regulations compliant building.
Procured through the Southern Construction Framework (SCF), St Sidwell’s Point is four-storeys high, with an outdoor roof terrace with views across the city. It has a 25-metre eight lane competition pool, 20-metre community pool, and a children’s confidence pool.
Anthony Irving, Kier Construction Western & Wales managing director, said: “The vision to deliver the UK’s first Passivhaus leisure centre was bold of Exeter City Council and the success of this project has been the outstanding strength and collaboration from all involved.
“St Sidwell’s Point is truly an industry changing building. It represents the future of sustainable construction technology and we couldn’t be prouder to have built it.”
The £42m flagship building is the first part of a broad masterplan by Exeter City Council and also supports the Council’s carbon ambitions.
Jon Paul Hedge, Exeter City Council director, commented: “We are so proud of the fact that we have created the UK’s first Passivhaus leisure centre here in Exeter. This facility is truly unique and will provide brilliant facilities for our residents while supporting the city centre.
“It has been a long project and it just fantastic that we will soon be opening the doors to families to use and enjoy everything that the centre has to offer.
“I want to thank everyone who has been involved in this project for everything they have done. This building leaves a real legacy for the people of Exeter to enjoy for decades to come.”
Project team:
- Architect – Space & Place
- Main contractor – Kier
- Structural and MEP engineer – Arup
- Cost consultant and employer’s agent – Randall Simmonds
- Passivhaus designer – Gale & Snowden
- Passivhaus consultant – Warm
- Air-testing consultant – Jennings Aldas
- MEP specialist – T Clarke
- Facade specialist – Massey Cladding Solutions
- Concrete frame specialist – Stephenson
Main image: St Sidwell’s Point leisure centre (Source: Oliver Lane)
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