May 2024     

Yorkshire Project hits Stage 3 Milestone

You may remember back in December we reported that our first major design project had reached Concept design stage.  Roll on a few months and we've just issued our Work Stage 3 design package for the project. 

The design includes the use of a modularised proprietary pool tank system, and microfiltration technology, which has emerged in recent years as an energy- and water-saving alternative to traditional sand filtration. 

The project has been developed to a Stage 3 Performance Design level of detail and the information is due to be released for tender in the next few weeks.

April 2024  |  Rejoining a team pursuing pool perfection

Before moving to Teal, Stephen led the engineering design for one of the UK's leading new leisure centres.  Completed in 2022, this project helped change the landscape in the leisure sector and pioneered a new approach to energy performance in swimming pools. 

Teal has recently been appointed by the end client from that project to help identify any areas where the same building is not performing as intended.  A key problem in buildings is the difference between energy performance expectations and the real life consumption under building operation - a disparity known as the 'performance gap'.  This can be caused by aspects such as differences in operational demand, inaccurate assumptions at design stage, and areas where the building services systems do not operate as intended.  The latter category is the focus of our attention under our current commission, meaning we're spending lots of our time immersed in the BMS, metering and data logs.

Commenting on the new appointment, Stephen said, "This is a very special building, delivered by a hugely talented group of people, for a visionary, inspirational client.  It is a privilege and a joy to be invited back into the team to help ensure the building meets its full potential".

February 2024  |  A Month to Focus on Energy Savings

We've been working with a local authority leisure operator to help them find energy savings in their existing estate.  They operate a number of leisure centres including one which has recently been refurbished.  Surprisingly, since the refurbishment, they have seen energy consumption sky-rocket and our role is to help them understand the root causes and develop solutions to mitigate the issues. 

It has been really interesting unpicking the building's performance by looking at energy data and comparing it with drawings, commissioning data and live feedback from the BMS. 

Amongst various energy saving opportunities, we have identified a major conflict between the building services systems, with a heating system fighting against a cooling system almost all of the time.  Configuring systems and commissioning them properly is a key component in delivering energy efficient performance, and our understanding of these critical interfaces has allowed us to develop two optional solutions for the client which will save them in the region of 25% of their electricity bill next year. 

The system modification works are due to go out to tender next month. 

Jan 2024  |  New Year, New Projects

We hope you enjoyed the Christmas break and have come back rested and revved up to make a difference this year. 

After a busy December, 2024 started a bit slowly for us, which has given us time and space to plan out what we'd like to achieve this year:  ..To positively influence environmental sustainability and community outcomes for projects, teams, end clients and operators. 

We've had some really interesting opportunities land in the last few weeks, including assisting the design team on a new facility for a prestigious English public school.  It's only a small commission at the moment but we're excited about the opportunity to work with another new team on this one - watch this space!

Dec 2024  |  Pre-Christmas Concept Design

December has been an exciting month for us.  Ahead of all the Christmas festivities, we've been pulling together our first concept design package since setting up our practice. 

We've been working for a Sheffield-based M&E consultant as a specialist swimming pools consultant, working with their team who are delivering the complete Building Services design package for a new leisure centre in Yorkshire. 

We've really enjoyed building relationships with the whole project team and look forward to developing the package to deliver a Work Stage 3 performance design after Christmas. 

NOV 2023     Teal's Antipodean Adventure

Teal have been appointed to provide Technical Assurance services for a new $120m Aquatics facility in North Island, New Zealand.  The facility is set to contain 11 separate pools, providing a mix of indoor and outdoor leisure options including a new one on us, a Manu Pool!  Commenting on this Kiwi phenomenon, Stephen said "I think it's really fun that Kiwis are so passionate about their dive-bombing that they want to make a purpose-built pool to explore this art form together".

The project is currently at Concept stage, with subsequent design stages set to proceed after Christmas.

November 2023 | Teal speaking at PWTAG Annual Conference

This month, Stephen will join professionals from across the UK swimming pools industry and share his experiences in delivering low carbon aquatics facilities.

"I'm excited by this year's conference theme 'The Sustainable Pool',  and the opportunity to inspire others to achieve even better carbon outcomes", said Stephen.  "What excites me the most though is the depth of knowledge within the PWTAG membership - this is a group of deep domain experts who have the potential to lead a step change in energy performance for this sector". 

Click the link to visit the PWTAG website for more details and to book your place.

October 2023 | St Sidwell's Point Passivhaus certified

Since St Sidwell's Point was handed over in April 2022, the Passivhaus Institute has been working closely with Exeter City Council and their operator team to optimise the operation of the building. 

As the certifier for the project, the Passivhaus Institute have monitored the building since completion and critically assessed its performance to ensure that it meets the stringent energy performance requirements to qualify for the coveted Passivhaus plaque.

We are delighted to share that the wait is over and that St Sidwell's Point has become the UK's first Passivhaus Leisure Centre.  May this be the first of many, and may we see this ground-breaking building inspire many others to deliver a new generation of low carbon aquatics facilities.

July 2023 | Aquatics Experts gathered in Australia to share best practice in low carbon swimming facilities

Teal Director, Stephen Platt joined a host of experts from across Australia and New Zealand to share his experiences from leading the engineering design for St Sidwell's Point, the UK's first Passivhaus Leisure Centre.

Alongside the main events in Sydney and Melbourne, attendees were offered the opportunity for a more in depth discussion with Stephen and with Nick Yannakis of Beca, during private consultation sessions arranged by the event organisers.  Meetings were held with three councils which allowed these clients to draw deeper on Stephen and Nick's experience and help shape the future development plans of these districts.

Stephen wrapped up the discussion, leaving the delegates with three key takeaways concerning the delivery of low carbon Aquatics facilities: 

"1. It is achievable - it's been done in the UK and all of the learning is transferrable

2. It's not rocket science - Getting swimming pools right is about doing a lot of simple things well, but you need to make sure you have an experienced team that knows all the things they need to get right!

3. It's fun! Delivering industry-changing design and innovation requires skill, experience, hard work and commitment, but the journey to excellence is fulfilling and inspiring."

June 2023 | Teal Consultancy speaks at IAKS Spring Seminar

Stephen appeared 15th June 2023 with a panel of guest speakers at the IAKS Spring Seminar which was held at Ravelin Sports Centre in Portsmouth.

Ravelin Sports Centre is a new BREEAM outstanding sports facility designed by Faulkner Brown Architects for the University of Portsmouth.

Stephen was joined by Nic Bryant of Space + Place and shared stories and experiences from the delivery of St Sidwell's Point, the UK's first Passivhaus Leisure Centre.

Stephen's seminar focused on the importance of fundamental low carbon / low energy principles in achieving net zero leisure facilities. Other topics at the conference included:

• The use of Passivhaus in leisure buildings
  
• The implications of BREEAM Outstanding certification,
  
• Assessment of the embodied carbon and implications of the new Part Z of the UK Building Regulations,
  
• Decarbonisation of existing buildings
  
• Application of the Circular Economy
  

Click the link below to visit the IAKS website for more details.