The multiple award-winning CREST Centre at the South West College Campus, Enniskillen is a Sustainable Technology Research Facility. The Centre is located on a 3-acre site and includes a Pavilion, R&D Lab, solar panels, landscaped gardens, a central hub and carparking. It was the first facility of its kind in the UK & Ireland to achieve Zero Carbon, BREEAM Excellent and Passivhaus Certification.

After an extensive reduced level dig and the removal of existing buildings and foundations, driven concrete piling was carried out together with reinforced ground beams. A steel frame structure was erected, comprising of supporting walls and an SIP panel roof. The floor's structure incorporated pre-stressed hollow core units, extensive insulation, and quick drying floor screed. Finishes externally included a Zinc roof and Cedar wall cladding, aluminium window and door units together with curtain walling. M&E installations included a wide range of energy efficient and energy saving technology including energy lighting, Robotic Solar PV panels and rainwater harvesting. Internally the building was completed to a very high spec & decorated with timber and vinyl flooring; toilet cubicles and vanity units; reception desk; kitchen units and a wide range of bespoke wooden furniture. A sizeable amount of site works included car parking for 60 vehicles; walkways and landscaped gardens throughout the site; planting; site lighting and perimeter fencing.

There were many challenges associated with this project in terms of ensuring compliance with the specification to achieve Zero Carbon, BREEAM Excellent and Passivhaus together with the logistical aspects of the site. We fully appreciated the importance of our role in contributing to and transferring the exacting design standards to physical reality on site. PJT had an important input into the design of key building elements which required highly specialised materials and construction techniques to deliver. Key to ensuring the achievement of this was the understanding of the many highly skilled tradesmen who were working on the project and were co-ordinated by our Project Delivery Team.