Sustainable college building for the next generation of nuclear professionals. The £7 million Construction Skills Centre at Lakes College, covers over 3,000m2 and reaches 11m in height. It incorporates renewable technologies and serves as a training ground for young apprentices. The centre’s eco-friendly features, including PV panels and rainwater harvesting, showcases our commitment to sustainability while preparing the next generation of skilled workers for the nuclear industry in this vital region of Britain.
CLIENT: Lakes College
VALUE: £7m
LOCATION: Workington, Cumbria
SERVICES: Mechanical & Electrical Design
CLIENT OBJECTIVES
Our client envisioned a new training facility for the next generation of skilled workers for the nuclear industry. They sought a building that would not only serve its educational purpose but also embody sustainable design principles. The brief called for the incorporation of various renewable technologies, energy-efficient systems, and a collaborative approach that would involve students from Lakes College throughout the construction process.
OUR SOLUTION
PSA completed a Mechanical and Electrical design that integrated an array of sustainable technologies, including:
- 60m2 of PV panels capable of producing 9kW peak electric output and saving approximately 6.3 tonnes of CO2 annually
- Rainwater harvesting for ground floor toilets and brickwork mortar,
- Heat recovery systems
- Low-energy lighting with day and occupancy sensors.
The building’s envelope was fortified with additional insulation exceeding building regulations, and we designed bespoke Brise Soleil to mitigate excessive summer heating.
THE OUTCOME
This impressive structure now stands ready to train vital skills for the nuclear industry, with Sellafield just around the corner. The project’s success was made possible through funding from Nuclear Management Partners, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, and Lakes College. By involving student apprentices in the construction, we’ve not only created a building but also provided invaluable hands-on experience, fostering the next generation of construction professionals in this crucial sector.
