Blairgowrie aims for a podium finish!

Key stats

• Construction: Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)

• TFA: 3690m²  

• Occupancy: 200-300 daily

• Build start date: 2023

• Expected completion: December 2024

• Certification: Aiming for Passivhaus

• A compact form factor: The external shape of the building has been made as compact as possible to help reduce external heat loss.

• Pool orientated south: The pool has been located at the south side of the building with large amounts of glazing to take advantage of passive solar gains to heat the space. 

• Zoning activities by temperature: Activities areas which require similar room temperatures have been zoned together in plan to reduce internal heat loss between spaces.  Different zones are also divided by internal insulated walls that achieves 0.3W/m2K to further minimise heat transfer.

• Healthier indoor environment: Due to the Passivhaus methodology the building will have a high level of airtightness and subsequently use a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) unit which will ensure an excellent level of ventilation for a healthier indoor environment for all occupants.

U-values:

Floor: 0.1 W/m²K

Wall: 0.15 W/m²K

Roof: 0.15 W/m²K

Ground floor: Concrete slab / rigid insulation

First floor: CLT slab / rigid insulation

Aluminium cladding on CLT frame

Aluminium cladding on CLT frame

Airtightness n50 (≤ 0.6ACH @ 50 Pa)

Target for pools is a Q50 of 0.4 m³/m²h, which for a building of this size results in a very low n50 of 0.16ACH @ 50 Pa

Space Heating Demand*

87 kWh/m².a (including pool water heating demand)

Heating Load (≤ 10 W/m²)

10 W/m² (not including pool water heating)

Primary Energy Renewable (PER) Demand*

243 kWh/m².a (not including pool water heating)

• Carefully zoned heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting to reflect usage and allow for switch off when not required.

• Incorporation of heat recovery to fresh air systems, via plate heat exchangers and thermal wheels to ensure high-efficiency recovery.

• Inverter drives fitted on all ventilation fans to ensure that these are properly set up and responsive to the needs of the building.

• Variable speed drives are incorporated into all heating systems to minimise energy use.

• Any areas of the centre requiring high levels of cooling (dance/fitness rooms) use a high-efficiency, low carbon, refrigerant based Split system.

• A waste water heat recovery system (WWHR) is to be used to preheat cold water to the shower facilities.

Key Team

• Client:  PHT member Perth & Kinross Council

• Architect:  PHT member Holmes Miller

• Passivhaus Consultant: PHT members John Gilbert Architects

• Structural + Civil Engineers:  Baker Hicks

• Mechanical Engineers:  RYBKA

• Contractor:  BAM Construction – Scotland Ltd

• Passivhaus Certifier: PHT Patron WARM