First Passivhaus Leisure Centre built in the UK
Project Team
Architects: XXX
Electrical: XXX
M&E: XXX
Consultant: XX
At Fulham Cross Girls’ School, the works comprised the demolition of an old 1970’s science block and delivery of a state-of-the-art science building and gymnasium with bespoke science labs, staff rooms, offices and a double-height gym. The new steel frame building with precast concrete planks on the first floor and roof and external brick and clad facade provides 5 new laboratories, preparation room, sports hall, changing rooms, toilets and staff room. The building includes PV panels and attenuation tank.
The main gym complements the all-weather outdoor facilities with associated changing rooms, storage facilities and offices, and capacity for a variety of indoor sports including hockey, netball, dance, and rowing machine activity.
Fulham Cross Girls’ School new block was handed over successfully on budget in March 2020, safely and without delay following the government guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Fulham Cross Girls’ School, the works comprised the demolition of an old 1970’s science block and delivery of a state-of-the-art science building and gymnasium with bespoke science labs, staff rooms, offices and a double-height gym. The new steel frame building with precast concrete planks on the first floor and roof and external brick and clad facade provides 5 new laboratories, preparation room, sports hall, changing rooms, toilets and staff room. The building includes PV panels and attenuation tank.
The main gym complements the all-weather outdoor facilities with associated changing rooms, storage facilities and offices, and capacity for a variety of indoor sports including hockey, netball, dance, and rowing machine activity.
Fulham Cross Girls’ School new block was handed over successfully on budget in March 2020, safely and without delay following the government guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At Fulham Cross Girls’ School, the works comprised the demolition of an old 1970’s science block and delivery of a state-of-the-art science building and gymnasium with bespoke science labs, staff rooms, offices and a double-height gym. The new steel frame building with precast concrete planks on the first floor and roof and external brick and clad facade provides 5 new laboratories, preparation room, sports hall, changing rooms, toilets and staff room. The building includes PV panels and attenuation tank.
The main gym complements the all-weather outdoor facilities with associated changing rooms, storage facilities and offices, and capacity for a variety of indoor sports including hockey, netball, dance, and rowing machine activity.
Fulham Cross Girls’ School new block was handed over successfully on budget in March 2020, safely and without delay following the government guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regular payments and have payment periods not exceeding 30 days
Up to 70% off annual running costs
Zero RIDDORs
CCS Score 43
14 apprenticeships, 6 of which were new jobs created
7 work experience placements
272 Trainee weeks
Schools engagement: 361 pupils
Handover & Aftercare Contractor Promise
The Thames Valley Police Forensic Services Centre is a new purpose-built facility delivered as part of the wider Thames Valley Police Improvement Programme. The centre has been designed to modernise forensic services, increase capacity, and enhance the speed and quality of evidence processing due to increasing demands.
Replacing outdated accommodation, the facility brings previously separate teams together under one roof. It includes digital forensics and crime scene investigation facilities, training areas, and office space to support up to 200 staff.
Although a completely new build, the force-owned site on Howes Lane was adjacent to the Thames Valley Police traffic base, which stayed operational throughout the project’s lifecycle.
It was essential that operational works from the live traffic base were not interrupted or hindered by our construction work, avoiding “blocking blue light access” at all times, a mandatory rule set out by the force ahead of commencement of works.
We created a site-specific layby for waiting vehicles, to prevent the blocking of blue light access.
Two banksmen were also stationed at the gate and access road, to manage vehicle movement.
Communication, openness and honesty were big factors to ensure the overcoming of this challenge presented to us and as such we were in constant communication with the traffic base with regards to our evolving site works and their operational changes.
As a result, our construction work had no effect on the traffic base fulfilling their duties.
This new Forensic Centre sets a benchmark for blue light facilities. Combining modern infrastructure and high-tech policing equipment, this purpose-built home for forensic services supports the vital works carried out by teams across Thames Valley Police and helps to meet future demands.
The new facility replaces outdated and delipidated spaces and brings together previously dispersed teams housing, modern laboratories, digital technologies and dedicated training facilities.
With it’s thoughtful design, this facility will not only futureproof the force and enhance training capabilities for new employees, but also ensure existing employee wellbeing and collaboration is maximised.
436 Training weeks onsite. Onsite T-Level placements x3 from local colleges and X3 local apprentices hired for the project, over 30 events took place for local young people including employability workshops and careers focused events.
99.42 total waste diverted from landfill
Scored 10/10 for the H&S procedures on site. Excellent management of supply chain RAMS
100% payment within 30 days terms
Soft landings approach. Satisfaction score of 10/10 for aftercare service
Navigating the logistics of site access posed a significant challenge from the outset for this ambitious project. The site area for the football pitch was bounded by a new housing development, secured through a joint planning application with Cala Homes. Galliford Try’s (GT’s) early works package required extensive use of their site entrance, requiring careful planning and coordination. Once works progressed to create the new pitch, the level difference between Cala’s access road and the site made it no longer usable, demanding a new strategy.
The job was further complicated by poor ground conditions resulting from a nearby river, requiring extensive investigation and remediation to create the necessary levels and compaction to alleviate soft spots. The groundworks alone accounted for a third of the overall contract, an extensive package for an education project of this size. The college needed to remain operational throughout construction.
GT held a pre-start meeting with Cala and NHC to discuss access arrangements followed by fortnightly updates and informal daily coordination with their groundworkers once on site. This ensured they remained effective and responsive to any changes, particularly when admitting crane deliveries to erect the steel frame. GT carefully planned and executed the groundworks through extensive surveys, silt traps to protect the adjoining river from contamination and careful assessment of excavated material to reuse as much as possible on site e.g. raising the pitch by 200mm.
Recognising the limitations posed by the evolving site conditions once the football pitch was underway, GT identified the most appropriate window in the build sequencing and worked with NHC to agree a safe alternative access route through their grounds. Deliveries were carefully coordinated to ensure safe segregation of the college users at all times.
The proactive measures taken to manage site access enabled effective collaboration between all parties and allowed the college to carry on as normal throughout the works with no complaints received. GT’s inventive groundworks solutions worked with the site’s topography to support maximum material retention on site whilst achieving the required strength. Extensive ground investigations drove the car park foundation design to mitigate the risks associated with the existing ground while eliminating the need for disruptive and costly piling. The surveys, Stage 4 design and pricing process were completed within just 10 weeks.
Project team supported 10 career events to highlight opportunities in construction, including Generation Hitchin for local 15-18 year olds (opened by Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, Alex Burghart) and a Building Heroes site tour for 7 military veterans.
Acting on guidance from the North Herts Bee Keeping Association, we protected a colony of 3,000 mining bees, crucial pollinators, by cordoning off their earth bank home on the site.
Successfully managed 100+ variations to the contract whilst remaining compliant with payment periods set out with suppliers.
An Aftercare Charter outlining the client’s preferred approach to aftercare was agreed in discussion with the College. NHC’s FM team were also invited to spend time with the commissioning engineers to undertake familiarisation training the week prior to handover.
Coordination of over 300 lorry deliveries via the shared access with Cala Homes and the College with zero RIDDORs.
Morgan Sindall team’s review of the initial Employer’s Requirements and MAC’s RIBA Stage 1 proposals identified several challenges. The initial MAC design did not fully satisfy the Employers Requirements (ERs), particularly regarding departmental adjacencies and the relationship between teaching, support and the amenity spaces. The existing Dining provision for sixth form students lacked flexibility for future growth so the design team considered an alternative approach.
Where the existing Wellbeing Hub was located adjacent to the Sixth Form Centre, the initial proposal was to temporarily adapt the existing Drama Halls within a separate part of the site to introduce temporary wellbeing facilities in place due to the reduced capacity and disrupted Wellbeing Hub assumed within the construction phase as well as temporary classroom hire to serve the required teaching capacity during the works.
Within the existing school a math classroom was to be converted to a science laboratory and had to be delivered all within a live environment. Adjacent to this classroom a proposal to relocate an existing washroom facility to the opposite side of the same corridor introduced significant implications for utilities, structural works and building alterations, which the design team questioned how this would add value. The team needed to improve functionality, safeguarding and student experience whilst ensuring the project remained affordable, buildable and operationally efficient. After careful evaluation through survey, optioneering and consultation with the client team on the priorities we realised these proposals created unnecessary cost, disruption, work complexity and programme risk.
Morgan Sindall took opportunity during the CEM process to present some alterative design proposals that considered to improve the adjacencies and lessen the disruptions for the school and worked closely with the client stakeholders and end user and identify more efficient solutions.
The Sixth Form Centre design layout was refined to improve departmental adjacencies and provide stronger connectivity between teaching spaces, student amenities and those support facilities. The Dining and study area was expanded to increase capacity it required and provide more flexibility for students.
The role of the existing Wellbeing Hub was also re-evaluated. The revised design approach helped with construction logistics and phasing plan improvements during operational phase, which helped to link and maintain the existing access routes particularly through construction and create a more supportive environment for those teaching and learning.
Within the existing school building, the maths classroom was successfully adapted to form a compliant science laboratory with minimal disruptions to the existing roof and building fabric within the live school environment. The washroom proposals were also rescoped to retain the existing location and internally reconfigured to improve passive supervision, visibility and safeguarding. This achieved the project’s objectives while avoiding extensive utility diversions, structural works and alterations to the building envelope.
The rescoping to the design proposals signed off within PCSA and CEM processes were delivering improved functionality, increased capacity and better value for money while minimising disruption to the school. Buckinghamshire Council and The Cottesloe School team commended the innovative approach by Morgan Sindall’s team and helped improve satisfaction across several measures.
Additional teaching, dining and study space was created within the Sixth Form Centre without introducing inefficiencies in layout or operation. This formed a geography department in one location and better relationship between learning, support and social spaces, which created a more effective environment for students and staff.
The Wellbeing Hub remained fully operational throughout construction, maintaining uninterrupted access to this resource. Revising the accommodation strategy also removed the need for Morgan Sindall to provide temporary classroom accommodation due to occupying school facilities realised could be avoided and incur unnecessary cost and programme impacts.
By retaining and reconfiguring the existing washroom in the existing school building, the project avoided costly and complex utility diversions and structural alteration, while still improving the washroom provision with better a safeguarding outcome.
The extension was meticulously designed to complement the existing Sixth Form Centre aesthetic, with colour-matched brickwork and mortar, matching roof tiles, windows and doors establishing a seamless appearance tied to the base building. Staff Car parking provision was increased, while landscaping works were minimised to retain mature trees and preserve the character of the site. The result was a cost-effective and highly functional development that met requirements and enhanced both the teacher and student experience.
Over the reporting period, we delivered 54 weeks of training and supported 13 community events, reaching over 500 students.
We also donated a total of £6,200 in the local community and dedicated 100 hours to delivering CV and employability workshops, helping individuals enhance their career readiness and job prospects.
Thermally efficient building as air tightness achieved of 2.
PV array was installed to the 6th form.
Carbonica assessment done to monitor embodied carbon.
Aftercare process shared and implemented with the client team in the run up to handover to ensure smooth handover from construction project team.
All payments were made as per the contract terms.
Payments from the client to the contractor were all on time or early.
Zero Hard and 0 Riddors
The University needed to create a world-class facility for engineering and design while working with an existing 1970s building. Rather than demolishing the building, the project team had to take it back to its structural frame and work within the constraints of the retained structure. The specialist equipment also presented significant coordination challenges: laboratories, clean rooms, precision manufacturing facilities, high-performance computing and a sub-sonic wind tunnel all had to be integrated into the building. The project was delivered alongside another major University redevelopment, InterCity Place, creating additional programme and resource pressures.
BAM transformed the existing Babbage Building, retaining its principal structural frame while adding significant new-build elements. The design integrated specialist research and teaching environments around the needs of the equipment they would contain, including slotted bed-plates, specialist laboratory services and the wind tunnel.
The approach enabled the University to retain the embodied carbon within the existing structure while delivering a building with a completely new architectural identity, improved accessibility, renewable technologies and modern teaching and research facilities. BAM worked collaboratively with the University’s Estates and Facilities team and the design team throughout the transformation.
The transformed Babbage Building opened to students in November 2023, with formal opening taking place in March 2024.
The completed facility provides more than 10,000m² of teaching and research space and now houses specialist engineering and design facilities including a wind tunnel, clean rooms and laboratories supporting energy and sustainability, autonomous systems, precision manufacturing, digital fabrication and immersive visualisation.
The project also provided a significant improvement to the University campus and student experience.
Re-use of existing 1970s structure; major embodied-carbon/waste savings; ASHP; PV; heat recovery; low-energy-in-use design.
Decarbonisation: Use of Electric Air Source Heat Pumps and installation of 140 Solar Photovoltaic panels providing 24% CO2 emissions saving. Retained structure, saving up to 1,700 tCO₂e of embodied carbon and achieves SCORS A+ rating and exceeded LETI & RIBA 2030 targets.
Building fabric upgrades, including significantly improved U-Values. EPC A Rating, 31% saving in regulated carbon emissions over Part L. Space heating demand designed to achieve 15/kWh/m2/yr. Circularity:
5100kg of waste saved and 5,415kg CO2e saved using Zentia takeback scheme. Climate adaption/Low water use: Low flush toilets and sensor taps
Handover to University; commissioning of specialist engineering facilities; FM/operational requirements
The university actively supported BAM initiatives on SV.
Supported and continue to engage with annual Construction Panel and associated events.
Jess Morgan ran online employability sessions for overseas students.
Live university campus; complex refurbishment/extension; demolition avoided; constrained site logistics; segregation and access management
Bath Quays South occupied a highly constrained riverside site surrounded by occupied buildings, listed heritage assets and the River Avon. The project had to respect Bath’s UNESCO World Heritage status while overcoming significant geotechnical challenges, flood risk requirements and strict controls protecting the city’s historic thermal springs. Limited site access, extensive underground obstructions and the need to deliver new flood defences alongside commercial development further increased the complexity of the scheme.
BAM delivered a carefully phased design and construction solution incorporating a five-storey Grade A office building founded on piled foundations, new flood defence infrastructure, riverside public realm improvements and enabling works for the new pedestrian bridge. Close collaboration with BANES Council, environmental stakeholders and the design team ensured protection of sensitive heritage features and thermal spring resources while creating a modern workplace environment that complements the historic cityscape.
The completed development has created a high-quality commercial destination at the heart of Bath’s Enterprise Zone, providing approximately 45,500 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation together with enhanced flood resilience, improved public realm and better connectivity across the River Avon. The scheme has helped establish a new business quarter designed to support economic growth, attract investment and create employment opportunities in the city.
EPC A / high energy performance; PV; EV charging; sustainable transport; cycle infrastructure; flood mitigation; public realm/ecology.
Decarbonisation: Solar PV, Electric Air Source Heat Pumps.
BAM provided post-completion support and handover services in line with project requirements and client expectations.
Held online education programme during COVID
Urban construction environment; public interface; pedestrian/cycle routes; traffic and logistics management
The existing school required replacement while the site continued to serve the local community. The project therefore needed to be phased so that new accommodation could be provided before the existing buildings were demolished. The scheme also had to deliver a high-performance Passivhaus building within a constrained existing school site, while managing construction traffic, pedestrian movements and the interface with pupils, staff, parents and neighbours. A particularly important challenge was managing people/plant segregation safely within the active construction environment.
BAM delivered the new school in phases, enabling the new accommodation to become operational before demolition and completion of the wider site. The building was constructed to Passivhaus standards, incorporating high-performance insulation, efficient windows and ventilation, air-source heat pumps and solar PV. BAM also worked collaboratively with FHOSS to develop and implement an illuminated pedestrian/plant crossing system specifically for the project. The solution removed reliance on a dedicated banksman at the crossing point and created a visible, fail-safe system for controlling interaction between pedestrians and construction plant.
The project delivered a new 210-place Passivhaus primary school with community facilities and improved outdoor spaces. South Gloucestershire Council subsequently recorded the completion of Elm Park Primary School as a key achievement in its 2023/24 capital programme.
The innovative FHOSS safety system won a Constructing Excellence South West 2023 Health, Safety & Wellbeing award, providing independent recognition of BAM’s collaborative approach to improving construction-site safety.
Passivhaus construction, high-performance insulation, efficient ventilation, air-source heat pumps and solar PV.
Decarbonisation: EPC A, DEC B rating
Kurt Williams, Handover to South Gloucestershire Council; Passivhaus performance/commissioning; operational guidance and building performance
BAM delivered on SV goals – CCS 45 Silver Award. Women in Construction focus, STEM programme delivered with female pupils.
Payment periods not exceeding 30 days
Innovative FHOSS illuminated pedestrian/plant crossing; Constructing Excellence South West Health, Safety & Wellbeing award.
The project needed to replace an existing school while responding to rapidly increasing demand for school places in the local area. It was also one of South Gloucestershire Council’s flagship responses to its Climate Emergency, requiring BAM to deliver a highly energy-efficient building while maintaining rigorous Passivhaus quality requirements. The project was constructed on the former Frenchay Hospital site and required careful consideration of the surrounding woodland and local community.
BAM used its experience in Passivhaus education projects to deliver a high-performance timber-framed building with triple glazing, high levels of insulation, air-source heat pumps, MVHR and photovoltaic panels. Digital modelling and 4D planning were used to support delivery. The project team also engaged with the school community, including visits from pupils during construction, helping children understand how the building was being created and the principles behind its environmental performance.
BAM and the project team also worked with the local Frenchay Residents’ Association to improve a nearby pond and picnic area as a community legacy initiative.
The new school opened in September 2022, providing capacity for 420 pupils in a modern, low-carbon learning environment.
The project became South Gloucestershire’s first Passivhaus school and provides a strong demonstration of BAM’s ability to combine educational requirements, sustainability and high-performance construction
Passivhaus; triple glazing; high insulation; air-source heat pumps; MVHR; solar PV; zero fossil-fuel consumption.
Decarbonisation: EPC A rating, DEC B rating
Passivhaus commissioning, certification and handover; user/operational considerations
Pupil site visits and community pond/picnic-area improvement.
Worked closely with SEETEC to support programme to support with employability skills post – COVID.
Safe construction alongside developing residential/community area; logistics and construction sequencing; Passivhaus quality/airtightness controls
The project required the selection of a structural frame that aligned with HCC’s fabric-first principles, prioritising energy efficiency through a high-performing building envelope. Unique to other panel systems, the Streif timber frame solution comprises fully made cassette, complete with pre-installed doors and windows and M&E systems pre-measured and cut-out. As a result, it was critical to finalise and coordinate these details from the outset, so the timber frame could be manufactured and dispatched on time to meet key programme milestones and meet the school’s readiness for the September 2025 term.
In-line with the fabric-first design intent, the Streif panelised timber frame solution was selected for its advantages over traditional construction methods, including improved U-values, reduced embodied carbon and quicker watertightness; while leveraging experience from previous Streif projects. Seamless coordination with the supply chain was critical to maintaining the programme. Numerous coordination meetings were executed with MEP, stairs and groundwork specialists, ensuring designs were fully integrated, enabling efficient manufacture and on-time delivery. This meticulous planning enabled a seamless ‘soft landings’ approach with FF&E and IT specialists, guaranteeing the school was fully operational for the new term start.
Championing the ‘fabric first’ design philosophy, the Streif system resulted in exceptional environmental performance with an air test rating of 1.16m3/(h.m2)@50Pa and near-Net Zero status of 205CO2. The proactive approach also ensured timely delivery of the timber frame; subsequently meeting key deadline dates.
12 apprentices, 37 SMEs , 27 beneficiaries, 6 jobs created
108 trainee weeks and 2,722 students engaged
£9,000 donations to charity
39% social value created
Community Quad – 2,574 hours
100% timber responsibly sourced and waste diverted from landfill
226kg/ 100k carbon footprint (against target of 454kg)
30.6 tonnes CO2e saved in MSC 10 Tonne Carbon Challenge (embodied carbon)
17 tonnes of CO2e saved from emissions (Scopes 1,2 and 3)
Waste reduction with 0.71 tonnes per £100k spend, outperforming the national target of 1.28
Soft landings for handover
Dedicated Morgan Sindall point of contact
On-line portal for notifying any defects with 3 priority categories for response times
100% payment within 30 days terms
Zero RIDDORs
CCS Score 45/45
CCS Bronze Award
The Liskeard Hub project faced several strategic and operational challenges. Cornwall Council needed to replace multiple ageing buildings, including Luxstowe House, Graylands, Laity House and Westbourne House, which were becoming increasingly inefficient and costly to operate. Delivering services from several separate locations created inconvenience for residents, duplication of facilities and higher maintenance costs. The project also had to support the wider regeneration of the former Cattle Market site while maintaining access to essential public services during the transition period. In addition, the Council sought to improve environmental performance, reduce its property footprint and create a facility capable of accommodating a diverse range of services and stakeholders. Achieving all these objectives within a constrained town-centre site added further complexity to the design and delivery process.
To address these challenges, Cornwall Council developed the Integrated Services Hub concept, bringing a wide range of public services together within a single modern facility. The hub was designed to co-locate services including the Family Hub, Registrars, Adult Education, Adult Day Care, Safe and Well services and the Department for Work and Pensions. The new building provides flexible accommodation, shared office space and meeting facilities that support collaboration between different service providers. Locating the hub on the former Cattle Market site aligns the project with broader town-centre regeneration objectives while improving accessibility for residents. Consolidating services into one purpose-built building reduces duplication of accommodation, enables more efficient use of resources and supports the Council’s ambition to lower operational costs and reduce the environmental impact of its estate.
The Liskeard Hub is expected to deliver significant long-term benefits for Cornwall Council, service users and the local community. By replacing four separate buildings with one integrated facility, the Council will achieve more efficient property management, lower running costs and reduced environmental impacts. Residents will benefit from simplified access to multiple services within a single location, creating a more convenient and customer-focused experience. The hub will also strengthen collaboration between public service providers through shared facilities and co-location. Beyond operational improvements, the project acts as a catalyst for the wider regeneration of the former Cattle Market site, helping revitalise a key town-centre area and encouraging greater economic and community activity. The development demonstrates a modern approach to public service delivery that combines efficiency, accessibility and sustainability.
promoting 2 stage open book through transparent and collaborative commercial practices.
Procured and managed a supply chain comprising 32 businesses, including 31 SMEs.
Achieved 81.4% SME spend, supporting fair opportunities for smaller businesses.
Directed £7.27m of project expenditure to SME organisations.
Generated £5.24m spend within the contracting authority area.
Maintained collaborative relationships with local suppliers and specialist subcontractors.
Adopted structured package procurement and transparent subcontract engagement.
Supported local economic growth through early supply-chain involvement.
Encouraged long-term supplier participation through framework delivery principles.
Demonstrated responsible payment practices that helped sustain regional businesses throughout project delivery.
Government Soft Landings principles embedded to ensure smooth transition from construction to operation.
Early engagement with service/end users and Cornwall Council operational teams informed building delivery.
Facilities designed to provide flexible, long-term accommodation for evolving public services.
Building performance and operational efficiency considered throughout design and construction.
Shared office and meeting facilities support efficient occupation from day one.
Sustainable CarbonLite design supports lower running costs and improved building performance.
Seasonal comprehensive commissioning, training and operational readiness activities support successful handover.
Long-term aftercare focus ensures the hub delivers lasting value, efficiency and community benefits.
Achieved an overall Green Health & Safety status throughout project reporting.
Zero Harm / RIDDOR’s
Utilities diversions completed safely ahead of main works.
Major asbestos risk identified early and managed through specialist investigation and removal strategies.
Risk & Opportunity management strategy agreed collaboratively with Cornwall Council and project partners.
Community safety managed through revised pedestrian access and boundary arrangements.
Strong focus on compliance, planning, coordination and proactive hazard mitigation throughout delivery.
Designed to CarbonLite standards, reducing embodied and operational carbon.
Achieved the CarboniCa 10 Tonne Challenge during pre-construction.
Targeting 200 tonnes CO₂e savings through carbon reduction measures.
Adopted diesel-free construction practices and lower-carbon fuels.
Diverted over 99.6% of construction waste from landfill.
Managed 4,027 tonnes of waste with only 14.9 tonnes landfilled.
Delivered 267 hours of Green Skills training.
Contributed 386 volunteering hours to community initiatives.
Achieved an excellent Considerate Constructors Scheme score of 43/45.
Regenerated the former Liskeard Cattle Market site, bringing a key brownfield location back into productive use.
Consolidated four outdated council buildings into one modern community asset.
Created a long-term home for essential public services.
Improved accessibility to Family Hub, DWP, Adult Education and Registrar services.
Generated £6.26m of local supply-chain spend.
Supported 31 SME businesses across the project.
Delivered 386 community volunteering hours.
Invested 267 hours in Green Skills training.
Strengthened town-centre footfall and regeneration opportunities.