Provian Construction, one of Kent’s leading main contractors, has been awarded a new £1.1 million contract to design and build a series of sustainable workshops for the East Kent Spatial Development Company (EKSDC).
The EKSDC is funded through the Homes and Community Agency and is working in partnership with the Aylesham and Community Workshop Development Trust to deliver the 1,000m2 of built-to-let workshop units on the site of a disused mining complex that has been vacant for 30 to 40 years.
Set to begin construction in April 2011, the project will see the creation of 1,000m2 of built to let workshop units on the site of a disused mining complex that has been vacant for 30 to 40 years. The project perfectly demonstrates EKSDC’s pioneering scheme that aims to unlock potential development land in the area and help to regenerate East Kent.
Once complete, the flexible spaces will be divided into five equal sized units with partial mezzanine, offering the client the additional option of splitting the space further into a total of ten individual units. Provian will also deliver associated facilities, access, parking and landscaping for the project.
A key element of the design and build was that the scheme should be as sustainable, in both construction and use, as possible. To provide improved environmental performance and as part of the company ethos, Provian has incorporated several sustainable elements into the design process. These include improved thermal performance above and beyond current building regulations through the installation of high performance insulation and attention to ensuring the units are airtight, to minimise heat loss. In addition solar photovoltaic panels will be installed across the entire roof area to provide the units with renewable energy for electricity and hot water.
Having achieved planning approval, Provian will be responsible for the design and delivery of the project, including all planning requirements, building regulations and approval, as well as construction. The scheme aims to achieve a BREEAM certification of ‘very good’, as an absolute minimum, although the design team is working towards achieving an ‘excellent’ standard.
The project is expected to be completed by December 2011.