Operon wins long-term M&E contract at Stockport College

Operon’s design division has been appointed M&E consultant for the complete redevelopment of the first three phases of Stockport College’s town-centre campus. The company will design and oversee all M&E installation for the £75 million-plus project, which is supported by the Learning & Skills Council. Phase I begins on site in March 2008, followed by Phase II in June. It is due for completion in 2010. Genex, the energy division of Operon, undertook a sustainability report for the project, investigating renewable and sustainable technologies for the site and its environmental impact. The college has aspirations to achieve at least a ‘very good’ BREEAM rating for the performance of the building. As part of the M&E design, the college will be one of the first educational establishments in the UK to feature intelligent building systems, incorporating lighting, security systems, IT, ventilation, heating and cooling. They are designed to save energy and reduce the carbon footprint. Other features include rainwater harvesting for recycling grey water for toilet facilities, boilers burning rape-seed oil, green and sedum roofs throughout the campus to insulate the buildings, photo-voltaic and solar panels to provide electricity and hot water, passive ventilation and solar shading to reduce the need for mechanical ventilation and cooling, and solar glass to reduce heat gains in Summer and prevent heat loss in winter.

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