CREST Centre Construction Diary

Passivhaus design has many advantages over conventional construction and design techniques. Its implementation creates a modern and comfortable dwelling with no cold drafts, no temperature variations from room to room, a quiet internal environment and significantly reduced utility costs. Paul McAlister Architects are experienced in tailoring the Passivhaus philosophy to site constraints and a projects distinct needs.

Video - Crest Centre Passive House and Sustainable Design

Paul McAlister Architectscompleted the award-winning Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Technologies (CREST) Centre for South West College in Enniskillen. The project is one of the most sustainable projects in the UK and Ireland and is the first educational building to achieve the following three sustainable credentials:

The practice has completed the award-winning Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Technologies (CREST) Centre for South West College in Enniskillen. The project is one of the most sustainable projects in the UK and Ireland and is the first educational building to achieve the following three sustainable credentials:

Passivhaus Certified for Energy efficient envelope and ventilation system
BREEAM excellent in terms of the BRE sustainable benchmark for UK commercials buildings
Zero Carbon, this means that the building can provide, by renewable energy, it own source of heat and lighting.

Whilst a combination of two of these sustainable criteria has been completed in other parts of the UK, this will be the first example of the three criteria together and will become a benchmark building for sustainability in the UK.
Sustainable design is key to the successful completion of the CREST Pavilion, the design team approach was to reflect the innovative aspiration of the CREST project as a demonstration building, and showcase for the new technologies on display. The Pavilion was designed to engage industry through experiencing new sustainable technologies and materials allowing for a deeper engagement in and understanding of sustainability.

Video - CREST Centre - Passive House, Carbon neutral BREEAM Excellent Sustainable Construction Time lapse

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Diary Entry No.13 – Final Finishes

The CREST Pavilion is now handed over to the client, South West College. All the building works are complete and external grassing and landscaping is being left until the planting season.

Diary Entry No.12 - Carbon Neutral

Zero carbon construction guidelines require new buildings to take into account their emissions from space heating, ventilation, hot water and fixed lighting

Diary Entry No.11 - Building Services

Ventilation, along with the heat recovery forms an integral component of the CREST Pavilion, and their success is essential for achieving the Passivhaus certification performance levels.

Diary Entry No.10 – Air tightness testing

The air tightness, as already mentioned in previous diary entries, is crucial for the overall success of the building and for achieving the stringent passive house standards that were set at the outset of the project. In previous diary entries, we have discussed the high risk air leakage components such as wall openings, floor-to-wall junctions

Diary Entry No.9 - Fitting of the Zinc Roof

Since our last article, the majority of the windows and doors in the external envelope have been fitted, and the zinc roofing has commenced, with the roof over the renewable technologies roof nearly complete.

Diary Entry No.8 - Windows and Doors

Since our last article, the windows and doors in the external envelope have started to be fitted, the first steps to making the building air tight in preparation for the stringent air tightness tests.

Timelapse Progress Video – Week 23

The Image Centre in South West College has made this great time lapse video of the new CREST Pavilion. This video shows weeks 23 of the onsite build.

Diary Entry No.7 – Achieving Air Tightness

Since the last Article, the erection of the SIPS panels is nearing completion and both the vapour barrier and air tight membrane is being attached to the panels.

Timelapse Progress Video – Week 21

The Image Centre in South West College has made this great time lapse video of the new CREST Pavilion. This video shows weeks 20 of the onsite build.

CREST: Sustainable Construction Workshop

CREST seminar and study visit for lecturers and students, providing an insight into how the new CREST pavilion will achieve high environmental standards through its design and construction processes

Diary Entry No.6 - SIP Panel Construction

Since the last Article, the construction of the Glulam frame and the thermal blocks has been completed and the erection of the SIPS panels is well under way.

Timelapse Progress Video – Week 16

The Image Centre in South West College has made this great time lapse video of the new CREST Pavilion. This video shows week 16 of the onsite build.

Diary Entry No.4 – Glulam Frame

From our previous article, the next step on site was the preparations for the laying of the floor slabs. The phasing and management of time on site has been successful to date, we have not experienced any major delays or setbacks.

Diary Entry No.3 – Foundations

In our last diary entry, construction of the pavilion had begun with the contractor stripping the existing concrete and substructure to lower the site levels to allow the foundations to be dug for the arrival of the ‘Glulam’ frame and the fitting of the SIP in the New Year.

Diary Entry No.2 – Construction begins

This is an exhilarating stage for the entire team involved; the beginnings of the both the newest and largest CREST pavilion becoming reality. After thorough research, design and planning the CREST Pavilion, one of the most sustainable projects in the UK is now ready for construction to commence with site clearing having already commenced

Diary Entry No.1 – The Beginning

Over the following months, Paul McAlister Architects will be writing a regular diary documenting the construction of the much anticipated CREST Pavilion in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Similarly to the ‘Passivhaus diaries’ we will discuss in detail the design and construction of the CREST Pavilion, focusing on the challenges and rewards of sustainable architecture.

CREST Centre Construction Diary

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