South West Energy Centre

Images © Graham Gaunt Photowork

Innovative £6.5m new build development completed 2013

1,700m2 highly sustainable building designed for education in action

The main building for this exciting project, which is part of South Devon College, comprises approximately 1,700m2 internally, with a dramatic design incorporating sustainable construction techniques including a green roof, a highly air tight and insulated timber framed envelope, biomass boiler, rainwater recycling, solar hot water and PV cells. The construction hall area includes mock house construction to teach sustainable construction techniques in a realistic environment. A demonstration very low energy Passivhaus has also been built on the site. This unique facility will be a great resource for research and development and to inspire learners. This exciting and innovative project, worth £6.5m (including site acquisition), was built by Kier Construction under a two-stage tender through the Construction Framework South West. It was completed in August 2013.

Our Services:

Keystone was delighted to provide:

  • Strategic Property advice including advice on site acquisition
  • Support on the funding applications (SFA, Regional Growth Fund, ERDF)
  • Space planning
  • Design team and contractor procurement
  • Project Management – design and construction stages
  • Employer’s Agent

Our role:

The project had a complicated mix of funding streams, some of which needed to be in place before others could be confirmed. We led the SFA funding application and supported the college on the other funding applications to ensure the funding streams came together. The project included site acquisition and Keystone advised the client on the site purchase and supported the negotiations on the property documentation. Keystone advised the college on the alternative contractor procurement options and subsequently managed the procurement via the Construction Framework South West. This scheme, which achieved BREEAM Excellent, was unique due to its especially high sustainability requirements. The challenges for us as project manager revolved around ensuring that the centre was built to satisfy the high environmental goals, while staying within budget.

  • “Keystone Projects Ltd have worked with the college for over 10 years and have provided outstanding support for a number of significant projects which has included high level strategic planning, site acquisition, space planning, bid writing support and project management. They are a professional team with a range of expertise and have an excellent knowledge and understanding of property and accommodation but most importantly understand the FE Sector.”
    Laurence Frewin, Vice Principal, South Devon College

If you think we can be of assistance, call us on 0117 952 3095, or email mail@keystone-projects.co.uk.

Case Studies

Testimonials

  • "Keystone Projects have been an integral part of our estates strategy development and implementation since 2005. Over many years they have provided a consistently high quality of service and reporting yet they are very flexible and responsive, enabling us to meet some very tight deadlines. It is very reassuring to know that Keystone is on hand to support us when required and that they know and integrate with our organisation seamlessly."
    Robert Bates, Director (Estates and Development), Coleg Gwent
  • "Keystone Projects Ltd have worked with the college for over 10 years and have provided outstanding support for a number of significant projects which has included high level strategic planning, site acquisition, space planning, bid writing support and project management. They are a professional team with a range of expertise and have an excellent knowledge and understanding of property and accommodation but most importantly understand the FE Sector."
    Laurence Frewin, Vice Principal, South Devon College
  • "Keystone always provides work to the highest professional standard and is a true partner in our projects."
    Alex Anderson, Head of Estates Development and Facilities, Coleg Gwent