Energy, efficiency and value for money

In the late 1990s, North Wiltshire District Council staff were scattered across six different sites in and around the town of Chippenham, causing confusion for the public and a logistics and property management nightmare for the Council. At the same time, many of the buildings were deteriorating.

Backed by funding from the Private Finance Initiative (PFI), in 2000 the Council appointed Jarvis to deliver and run a new, environmentally-intelligent building to house all the Council's staff on a single site. In keeping with the environmental focus of the project, Jarvis chose a brownfield site close to the town centre for the development. Monkton Park already housed one of the Council's existing offices and is also close to public transport links.

Building in sustainability
The project was underpinned by a clear, integrated design strategy which met the requirements of everyone involved: the client, designers, construction team and the facilities management team who would be running the building for the next 25 years. Addressing all the environmental issues, right from the start, was key to the success of the project. This affected everything from the choice of the site and materials, to building methods, health and safety, and disposal of waste.

Sustainability has been a high priority from the outset. Although it is a bright, modern and comfortable interior, the office uses only a fraction of the energy consumed by conventional heating, lighting and ventilation systems. A true 'intelligent' building, it regulates its own internal conditions, using automated windows in conjunction with prefabricated concrete coffered ceilings to smooth out peak summertime temperatures and keep the building cool. A central atrium and manually opening windows allow natural ventilation and maximise daylight in the building, whilst intelligent lighting dims lights when the sky is bright and turns them off when part of the office is unoccupied. The energy management system is designed to ensure that the building continues to operate efficiently throughout its life.

Good communication supports open government
The open-plan design - with all floors grouped around the atrium - the central location of the all-important reception area and increased accessibility of the Council chamber all contribute to a more open democratic process and better communication between staff, councillors and the public.

In addition, state-of-the art technology is everywhere: from the LAN telephony system and intelligent call-centre software, to new-generation audio-visual equipment in the Council chamber and proximity card readers at the heart of the security system. With excellent disabled access throughout, Monkton Park is a model for public buildings in the future.

Running smoothly for all the users
Since the building was opened in 2001, Jarvis has been providing a range of facilities management (FM) services including building and grounds maintenance, cleaning, waste management, catering and security. In practice, the building is achieving the Council's vision, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from Councillors, council officers, local people and staff.

The building is also helping the Council achieve its environmental targets. For example, in summer the bike park in the basement is consistently full, with staff appreciating the on-site showers and the chance to cycle to work in this pleasant riverside setting. The Jarvis FM team is continuing to find ways of reducing energy consumption and costs, based on the real-life experience of operating the building.

The FM partnership continues until 2027, and Jarvis' involvement in the design and construction phases of the project means that the Company is confident that all that services it provides will continue to meet the client's expectations and agreed service level agreements, and deliver continuing value for money.

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Factfile

• The new offices scored 41 out of 42 points under the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), equalling the record achieved by BREEAM's own building
• Construction project completed seven weeks ahead of schedule
• Brings together 322 staff from six different sites, for more effective delivery of public services and better internal communication
• Helping North Wiltshire Council achieve planned operational savings in the region of £500,000 a year
• Carbon dioxide emissions at a very low level of less than 40 kg/m2/year