The project comprised a new build 1,030m2 single storey church with parish centre and a 250m2 two storey presbytery.
The church can seat up to 400 people and is expandable into a narthex area. The parish centre comprised a parish office, 3 meeting spaces which can be joined together by the removal of acoustic foldable walls and which are services by a suite of toilets, a utility room and kitchen.
Energy efficiency was high on the agenda from the outset and the building envelope was insulated to standards exceeding prevailing Building Regulation requirements, good natural daylighting was provided throughout and natural ventilation. The heavyweight construction of the church elements were intended to prevent large swings in room temperatures during periods of high occupancy.
A Community Sustainable Energy Programme Development Report was commissioned and Worldwise recommended the installation of an 8.3kWp Photovoltaic array on the church roof and a solar thermal system for the presbytery. The parish will enjoy the benefits of the Feed In Tariff scheme having chosen not to take up a 50% grant awarded from the Low Carbon Building Phase 2 Programme. The measures will save approximately 6 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum.
A rainwater harvesting system was installed with water used for irrigation purposes as there is a large garden area to be maintained with high usage for weddings and other functions anticipated. Zoning of the heating system was given careful consideration to allow maximum energy conservation and flexibility in the use of the spaces within the building. Dimmable lighting in the main assembly area and in parish centre meeting spaces again maximises the usage possibilities for these areas. A Line Array sound reinforcement system in the assembly space was provided for high quality sound reproduction that can be highly directional. A detailed external lighting design was prepared to allay Planner’s concerns regarding light pollution.
