Helping Deliver Passivhaus in an Active Sheet Piling Way
Sheet Piling (UK) Ltd is helping to deliver what will be one of the world’s most energy efficient leisure centres and a building that will be the UK’s largest wet and dry leisure centre to achieve the stringent Passivhaus ultra-low energy standard.
The sporting complex in question is the Spelthorne Leisure Centre in the Knowle Green area of Staines, where Sheet Piling UK has been able to make a sizeable contribution during the planning stage of its sheet piling works.
Early and active sheet piling collaboration
This is thanks to very early liaison with contractor, Willmott Dixon, which enabled us to work together closely, creating a super-efficient design for the pioneering client – Spelthorne Borough Council. The early collaboration has also facilitated an optimum use of Sheet Piling UK’s in-house resources, allocated across a complete design, supply and installation solution.
This is the best way to make use of the expertise underpinning our position as the UK’s leading sheet pile installation specialist and to benefit from our immense stockholding of Emirates Sheet piles, held at our Stock Service Centre. Tangible advantages have been derived by this project, because Willmott Dixon recognised the expertise that Sheet Piling UK’s entire team can deliver.
Our sheet piling involvement – sacrificial cofferdam construction
In this case, our experience has been directed towards basement construction for the new 100,000 ft2 leisure centre. Basement construction is a specialist area in which Sheet Piling UK has no rival. Using Emirates Steel Arkan sheet piles, we have formed a temporary sacrificial cofferdam, which has provided resilient and effective earthworks support.
With the peace of mind delivered by this sheet pile construction, safe working has been ensured during the basement construction works. Furthermore, the cofferdam has provided safe groundwater cut-off, with the impacts of groundwater having been identified as a major risk at this site.
Silent vibrationless piling, for community benefit
The cofferdam was constructed using 250 Emirates Steel Arkan EZ19-700 Z-section sheet piles. All were installed using a silent vibrationless pile pressing method. This ensured nearby businesses and residents were not disturbed by noise and vibration, minimising local area impacts.
To deliver this sheet piling methodology, it was necessary to address the prevailing geology. This consisted of made ground, overlying River Terrace sands, as well as gravels overlying London Clay. This being the case, it was necessary to pre-augur the pile line, on top of the strata consisting of London Clay, prior to starting pile installation by the pressing-in method.
All plant used was drawn from Sheet Piling UK’s in-house plant pool and all was NRMM compliant, in line with environmental regulations.
Passivhaus in action
This Passivhaus project will be truly impressive once GT3 Architect’s design is complete. With the ‘Gold Standard’ of environmental credentials in place, the building will be futureproofed and ready to face all climate challenges.
The centre will use 60% less energy, optimise the use of natural daylight and be fitted with photovoltaic panels, to generate energy from renewable sources. It will demonstrate the client’s commitment to net zero and its desire to deliver infrastructure that meets the changing needs of its local communities.
The sustainable building will also be dementia-friendly and make a low use of chemicals and micro-filtration in its pools. These will be an 8-lane, 25-metre pool with spectator seating, a learner pool, a splash pad and a spa with sauna and steam rooms. The building will also be home to a sports hall with six courts, three separate squash courts, two additional badminton courts, two studios, a spin studio, and a 950 square metre fitness area with 200 stations.
On its roof, there will be four small artificial 3G football pitches, overlooked by a roof terrace. Other facilities will include a café, changing rooms and showers, a larger car park and bike storage.
Future hopes
Sheet Piling UK has been delighted to be involved in this Passivhaus project, which is one that will deliver fabulous fitness and health facilities, in a low-carbon way. We hope it may also become a blueprint project for us, demonstrating that early collaboration with regard to sheet piling works and required earthworks, really does pay dividends.
To enquire about sheet piling for your construction project, or to find out more about our cofferdam services, please call 01772 794141.
- Ends -NOTES TO EDITORS
Sheet Piling (UK) Limited is one of the UK's leading piling contractors. Owning and operating a comprehensive range of specialist piling equipment Sheet Piling (UK) Ltd also carry extensive stocks of new and used piles enabling rapid reaction to any urgent requirements or emergency situations.