Our Project looked at the skills shortage and requirement – throughout London and the surrounding counties – to achieve the Retrofit objectives. Our proposal looked at creating a skills foundation facility where qualified plumbers, electricians, newly qualified apprentices and those from an MEP facilities background could enhance their skills portfolio.
- Phase 1 – Bay construction
- Phase 2 – GSHP Bay installation
- Phase 3 – Ground Source Heat Extraction installation
From initial rollout of the GSHP Project in September 2023 we had very positive relationships with our stakeholders LSBU Group, LSBTC Estates and Facilities, The Quantum Group, CBRE and The Scrubs Group.
The Scrubs Group were appointed via CBRE for initial MEP and fabric following their first-class work on the previous projects throughout the college. The Quantum Group are well established internationally, and we had had a positive working relationship with the team previously.
We met with both Quantum and Scrubs over a period of time to go through the plans and highlight areas of risk to be raised with our estates team. Initial plans were to have a standard ‘mock-up’ system where the slinkies would be wall-mounted, but we wanted to push our expectations and delivery for the learners. So, we decided to have a unique, fully live system running in tandem, and this was the real starting point for the project and a realisation of what we wanted to achieve.
Feasibility studies were initiated and ongoing, to determine our options, Pit or Bore Hole. Risks related to both are currently being reviewed, with site location drawings having been requested, as we have been advised that there is an aqueduct that runs close to the site. Cross-referencing site drawings and GSHP location drawing will continue to avail of the best location, as Phase 2 of the college campus is also a consideration when finalising the best location.
To date the bays are constructed by Scrubs and near complete GSHP bay fitout by Quantum Group.
The final stage – Phase 3 is in final discussions with all stakeholders to convene to agree Pit or Bore.
