Charleston Centenary Project, Lewes
| Architect | Jamie Fobert Architects |
| Image Credits | Axel Hesslenberg |
The Charleston Centenary project, on the edge of the South Downs, comprises the refurbishment and extension of an existing farmhouse and support buildings, including an auditorium, education spaces, new galleries and a café. Constructed in cross-laminated timber, the new building makes reference to the wooden frames of Charleston’s historic barns yet employs modern fabrication techniques.
We created a renewable energy report to achieve a high standard of sustainability and energy efficiency in order to minimise the environmental impact and CO2 emissions during the buildings’ lifetime. A ground source heat pump was installed to provide heating for the buildings, located in a dedicated plant area to the rear of the development. Localised underfloor heating manifolds are positioned adjacent to the areas being served, which are remote from the plant room. All mechanical systems are controlled via a building energy management system.
The hay barn auditorium is mechanically ventilated to cope with an occupancy of up to 50 people during events. A heat-recovery ventilation system effectively and efficiently ventilates and heats the space. The system minimises the energy required to raise or lower the temperature of the incoming outside air, and during warmer summer periods the heat recovery function is bypassed to help remove casual heat gains from the space and provide some level of free cooling using outside air.
We provided all mechanical and electrical services including heating, ventilation, domestic water systems, fire detection, alarm system, drainage installation, water, gas, electricity supply, voice and data services, electricity distribution and systems, lighting and emergency lighting, small power systems, security systems and lightning protection.