Specifier: William Hogan-O'Neil, Chartered Architect
Client: London Borough of Sutton
Monodraught Windcatcher natural ventilation and SunPipe natural daylighting systems have been installed throughout the superb Sutton Arena
leisure centre, a brand new £4.8 million sports facility providing outstanding indoor training facilities for international level field and track athletes as well as regional clubs and community groups.
William Hogan-O'Neill, chartered architect, responsible for the London Borough of Sutton project, specified the SunPipes and Windcatchers and has been very impressed with the result. He said "My whole idea from the concept stage was to bring the outside, indoors with daylighting and fresh air to replicate as much as possible traditional outside field and track facilities in this all-weather Arena.
Monodraught SunPipes and Windcatchers were the ideal solution. I had not specified SunPipes on a project of this nature before but I am sure I will in future." In all, fourteen 750mm diameter SunPipes and eight 1m diameter Windcatcher natural ventilation systems were used for this project.
"The amount of light achieved is more than I expected and there is no need for electric lighting during daylight hours. I had originally thought I would need more SunPipes to generate the atmosphere of being outdoors but in the event that was not the case. The level of lighting is quite incredible and the combination of natural ventilation systems encapsulate the intended outdoors feel".
The overall design of the Arena was also to place a strong emphasis on environmentally friendly technology and Monodraught SunPipes and Windcatchers, being energy-free with no harmful emissions into the atmosphere, again came in line with the 'green' aspects of this impressive building.
The Windcatcher natural ventilation systems are designed to provide a ventilation rate of 4ac/hr and encapsulate any prevailing wind and carry the incoming fresh air down to track level, whilst any build up of heat rises naturally to roof level and is vented out through the Monodraught Windcatcher systems.
The Project was made possible by a £3.8million Sport England Lottery Grant and a number of other sporting local Charities provided the remaining £1million funding.
The Arena was officially opened on 9 th April 2003 by the Mayor of Sutton Council, John Dodwell, and was attended by Colin Jackson MBE, one of Britain's greatest athletes.
The main Contractor for the Project was R Durtnell & Sons Ltd and the construction was completed in February 2003. All the Monodraught systems were installed by the Monodraught installation teams to special pre-formed upstands in the roof covering, which carry a 10-year guarantee not only on performance but against any roof leaks. |
