Due to the nature of this project, our Site Team had nothing to reference during the design and build of St. Sidwell's Point (SSP). All designs were unique and required specialist input from the site-based & design teams – this involved both Kier & ourselves having to overcome many unforeseen challenges.   

 

All of us at MCS are extremely proud of the part we played in the completion of St Sidwell's Point in Exeter. For this particular project, MCS worked alongside Kier construction, Gale & Snowden Passivhaus specialist Architects and Space & place Architects. we were able to successfully deliver the UK’s first Passivhaus leisure center, resulting in a building that is able to save up to 70% on energy and carbon compared to a building regulations compliant scheme. This was no mean feat.

 

This project presented a number of challenges from design to construction. Such complex geometry and requirements for air sealing and interface details that far supposed the norm meant that on and off-site test rigs were used to a rigorously assess proposed details prior to their use on the wider project.  Due to this strict preparations, MCS were able to achieve a project airtightness target of 0.3 m3/h/m2 first time. 

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This means that across the whole building envelope, there are gaps amounting to no more than 770cm2, or one-and-a-half sheets of A4. With a mixture of curves, corkscrews and slanted elevations St Sidwell's Point was always going to be a challenging project to design with a number of nonstandard panels making up the rainscreen façade and roofing, we used the 3D modelling skills of our in house design team and specialist partners to develop a digital version of the project ensuring every twist and turn could be fully developed prior to construction.

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The high level of communication and commitment from everyone involved - both office and site based, over a period of years was illustrated in the quality finish of the project, The MCS team forged a good relationship with the Kier and other project contractors providing open and honest information, to ensure that the project was delivered to highest standard possible. Thanks to the level of skill demonstrated by our installation team in the completion of SSP. MCS handed over the project to the client with ZERO legacy defects reported.

 

During early consultation for the project we were advised that St Sidwell's Point was going to be used as a benchmark for the landscape of Exeter moving forward. It has been established as a fantastic addition to the city, winning a number of awards including: The National RICS award for Environmental Impact, Best Civic Development at the

Exeter Property Awards and Best Project in the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Planning Excellence Awards.