Sustainability Report

Designed for a projected 60-year operational life, the scheme combines targeted building-fabric upgrades, renewable systems, and material reuse strategies to minimise embodied and operational carbon while extending the useful life of the existing structure.

O’DonnellBrown’s approach prioritised retention and enhancement over replacement, conserving embodied carbon within the original blockwork structure. Existing elements that remained functional, including windows, internal doors, and ironmongery, were refurbished and reused.

Where new materials were required, specification focused on low-carbon and locally sourced products:

• Timber was chosen as the structural material for the new canopy and extension, as well as the primary interior finish for the reimagined bar and reception area. Locally based suppliers and fabricators were appointed: Fleming Timber Solutions for the structural components and Character Joinery of Kilmarnock for internal joinery and fit-out.
• Equitone cladding, used on the new extension to meet fire performance requirements, carries a Cradle to Cradle certification, ensuring responsible sourcing and end-of-life recyclability.
• The existing hardwood auditorium floor was carefully lifted to install subfloor insulation. Although the boards could not be relaid due to their size and method of removal, they were diverted from waste. Through collaboration with local creative studio Soft Studio, the boards are repurposed into furniture.

An energy strategy developed in collaboration with Carbon Futures significantly reduces operational energy demand and associated carbon emissions. Using Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Technical Memorandum 54 (TM54) methodology, the team modelled in-use performance and refined the design to meet net-zero objectives.

Key energy measures include:

• Enhanced wall, floor, and roof insulation
• Air source heat pump for heating and hot water
• Replacement radiators for system efficiency
• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)
• Breathable exterior render and lime mortar to support building fabric health
• New entrance lobby to minimise heat loss and draughts
• Full LED lighting throughout

Predicted performance metrics

• Heating and hot water load: 48 kWh/m²/year
• Operational energy: 87 kWh/m²/year
• Annual operational carbon emissions: 73 kg CO₂ eq/m² (year 1)
• Reduction from existing baseline: ~70 percent (from 265 kWh/m²/year to 82 kWh/m²/year)

These results demonstrate performance better than the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard retrofit benchmark, future-proofing the facility for the next six decades of operation while significantly lowering energy costs for the charity.

(Sources: O’DonnellBrown and Carbon Futures.)