News

4 May 2010

1st Major Wind Turbines Grace Skyline of Sheffield

Sheffield has taken a major step forward in becoming recognised as home to sustainable development as the first large scale, building-mounted wind turbines to grace the skyline of the city have been installed at Sheffield City College.

The building, designed by Jefferson Sheard Architects, features a trio of 6KW roof mounted wind turbines which stand an impressive 15 metres in height, each with 3 metre blades which represent a total 6 metre diameter. By installing the turbines 48 metres above ground level, the maximum amount of energy will be harnessed and then utilised to realise the college's ambition to reduce the building's base load. The energy generated by both the turbines and the solar panels is fed back into the energy distribution system for the college's tower block. An energy display monitor is positioned within the Atrium to inform staff and students, at any point, the amount of energy that is being created. Given the prominent location of the college site overlooking the city, the major turbines stand as a visual representation of the college's commitment to sustainability and to acting responsibly for the future of its students.

The new wind turbines are the most visible of a host of sustainable features at the college including; 260m2 of photovoltaic cells mounted on the south facade of the newly completed tower, a rainwater recycling system, green sedum roofs to encourage biodiversity, a balancing pond to channel water for reuse, natural ventilation of all rooms, utilisation of district heating, high efficiency light fittings and an additional turbine which is in operation at ground level and helps to power the nursery building.

The turbines also form part of a wider sustainability strategy at the college which includes blending energy saving technology with recycling from existing sources. Some of the college's heating and hot water needs will derive from Sheffield District Energy Network which provides more than 140 buildings in the city with recycled low carbon energy, generated from incinerated local waste. The college is also planting almost 100 trees and providing the public with the opportunity to sponsor a tree.

Tom Rhys Jones, managing director, Jefferson Sheard Architects, said; "It has been a great experience to work on a major project with a client that wants to do more than just pay lip service to the idea of sustainability. We are delighted by the acknowledgment that the building has received as it emerges on the Sheffield skyline."

Julie Byrne, Executive Director of Sheffield City College, said; "Sustainability has been a key element of the design process of this exceptional building and will reduce the running costs, educate learners and staff in energy use and conservation and promote the college as a forward-thinking organisation. To have Sheffield's first major building mounted wind turbines in operation on the college is a great achievement and demonstrates our commitment to the future of our students, our facility and our city."

Tom Charles, Construction Manager for JF Finnegan, said; "The entire construction of Sheffield City College has been a complex and exciting process due to the logistics of working around staff and students. To install 3, 15 metre-high turbines onto an 8-storey building was a major undertaking and these, along with the striking design and sheer scale of the project, will undoubtedly ensure that the building achieves its goal as a highly visible, iconic building in the North of England."

Les Sturch, Director of Development Services for Sheffield City Council, said; "The redevelopment of Castle College demonstrates a comprehensive and integrated approach to sustainable design and carbon reduction. The 3, 6KW wind turbines set a highly visible example of what can be done and with 260m2 of solar photovoltaic panels on the South side and solar gain from the atrium, this is a magnificent case of renewable energy in practice. Together with the green roofs and the forthcoming pond and rainwater harvesting, this is a fantastic achievement and shows the way forward in making Sheffield a Sustainable City."

Sheffield City College's project team comprising of Jefferson Sheard Architects, JF Finnegan, AECOM, VB Johnson and Eastwood & Partners was appointed in 2005 with work commencing on site in August 2007. The first phase of construction incorporated the nursery and was followed by the development of a 3 storey, state of the art catering block in Phase 2. As each phase has been completed, students have vacated existing buildings and moved into the new facilities to allow the demolition of the old buildings. JF Finnegan recently handed over Phase 3 of the project which incorporated the flagship atrium building and 7 storey tower which contain some 50 teaching rooms including training salons and science laboratories as well as staff facilities, the Learning Resource Centre, a spa, Sparks Restaurant and student refectory.

The final phase is now underway with the construction of a brand new sports hall, outdoor sports pitches, a comprehensive landscaping programme which will create parkland style area to be used as amenity space and also the completion of the road works and a suspended paved concourse to form the access for the new college entrance. The entire project will be completed in time for the college's Summer enrolment.

David Parker, principal engineer and project manager, AECOM, continues;"The vision to develop a building with a robust sustainable and renewable energy focus has been shared by the client and the project team from the outset.

"It has been most rewarding working on a project that has really raised the bar for educational building design and the results are now there for all to see."

For more details about this project click: http://www.jeffersonsheard.com/projects/learning/sheffield-city-college