Forgoing traditional wet trades such as blockwork walls, contractor John Sisk & Son opted for a panel and frame construction that would allow the buildings to become weathertight as quickly as possible. This meant the internal fit-out could proceed simultaneously with the over-cladding of the facades, helping the project keep within its 18-month timeline. The precision in this construction method also helped in “de-risking” the process by minimising non-optimal labour conditions and keeping cut-off waste to a minimum, explains John Sisk & Son regional manager James Maloney. “The original specification called for more wet trade and more on-site work, but the greatest element of sustainability in this project is that it’s manufactured in a factory,” he says. “You’re eliminating human error – and if you’re eliminating human error, you’re eliminating waste.” The facades are faced in a combination of stone and tile slips, render and Western Red Cedar to give each building its own distinct identity, and reflect the traditional feel holidaymakers have come to expect of Center Parcs resorts. “There is a very bespoke approach to the facades of each unit to reflect their use, yet behind each of these materials is a Kingspan Karrier Panel substructure that allowed the building to be built quickly and efficiently,” says Maloney. “This form of construction provided Holder Mathias the architectural freedom to break-up the elevations of what are large buildings with a palette of different materials.” This outer cladding is designed to be easily removed for future refreshes of the finishes. During the preparation of the site, the Kingspan Water & Energy team also provided two high- performance Klargester Pumping Stations that deal with both the area’s high-water table and the wastewater produced by the resort. Challenging environmental conditions at the Center Parcs premises meant that a specialist technical solution was needed. Kingspan Klargester’s own inhouse technical team produced the necessary robust and bespoke solutions and provided support throughout the project – from the sizing and manufacture of the pumps, through to the installation, commissioning and on-site maintenance. A Klargester foul pump located near the village amenities such as the food court and shops manages wastewater at a speed of eight litres per second, while a second bespoke Klargester pump dealing with surface water is situated beside the pool, where it continually pumps water to the lake at a speed of 10 litres per second. Project Spotlight: Center Parcs Longford Forest 85
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