final report a3

Merkinch Welfare Hall

Technical Report

University of the Highlands and Islands

Architectural Technology

Abstract Renovating old buildings can be very time consuming and not very cost effective. This piece discusses some of the reasons behind this and also argues why it is still beneficial.

Figure 1a – Merkinch Welfare Hall

Figure 1b – Skyline

1a

1b

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Page

1. Introduction 3

2. Retention/Conversion of the Building 3

3. Details and U-values - Solutions 4

a. Original stone wall vs the new stone wall with insulation 4 b. Original stone floor vs the new ground bearing slab floor with insulation 4 c. Original roof vs the new insulated roof 5 d. Extension details 5

4. Critical sections 6

5. LDN Details 7

6. Thermal Compliance 8

7. Noise Compliance 9

8. Fire compliance 9

9. Conclusion 10

10. References 11

11. Bibliography 11

Contents

Figure 02

The Merkinch Welfare hall sits right in the middle of a socially depressed area so retaining the building and refurbishing it into a boxing club will only have positive effects in the community. Re-using and bringing buildings to life again raises the attention of the community and makes them feel more proud to be a part of it, like they are being looked after. When new buildings go up that are of good quality and function well then more follow in its footsteps. Look at London for example, once one sky scraper went up many more followed suit. The Merkinch Welfare Hall was built in 1914 to house a temperance group who sought to attract young men away from the dangers of alcohol in the years leading up to the second world war (Highland Historic Buildings Trust). Changing the buildings’ use to a boxing club will benefit the local area because it will attract the younger generation of kids and keep teenagers off the streets and guide them into doing something creative and learning new things at the same time.

This report identifies and explains the three main elements that the Merkinch Welfare Hall is most likely to fail upon with regards to renovation and gives an insight into why it should be retained. The building is being restored and converted into the local boxing club, this will bring in income and have a great social effect too. I firmly believe that this building can and should be refurbished but I don’t think it will happen affordably. I will analyse the original construction, state how easy or hard it is to make it comply with current regulations and how much space will be lost as a result of the new regulations. The elements I will cover are; thermal performance, noise compliance and fire requirements. Also I will compare what LDN architects have come up with and state whether or not they comply with the regulations.

Introduction

Retention/Conservation of the building

Like with every building, it can be retained but at what cost? The entire envelope of the Merkinch Welfare Hall will have to be changed to adapt to the new regulations so this will most definitely incur a much higher cost than if it was just a new build. But the benefits of this is that the area will be rejuvenated and it will set a precedent for more buildings like it to start going up in the area.

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The existing floor consists of a suspended timber floor with solid timber floor boards (Figure 4a). This does not comply with new regulations and trying to adapt a new suspended floor would be improbable due to the lack of height and would affect disability access. My solution to this is as follows:

Earth

140mm Hard-core

50mm Sand blinding

DPM

150mm rigid insulation

100mm reinforced concrete

50mm finish concrete screed

I have chosen a concrete finish for the inside as there is going to be a boxing ring on top alongside lots of heavy gym equipment and lifts. This solution will also perform well in fire and intense heat as it is a non-combustible material. The new U-value is 0.13 W/m2K.

Solutions - Original stone wall vs the new stone wall with insulation

Figure 2a - Original Stone Wall Figure 3a - New stone wall

Figure 2b - U-Value Figure 3b - U-Value

Figure 4b – U-Value

Figure 4a – Original Floor Figure 5a – New Floor

Figure 5b – U-Value

Sand Hardcore

Solutions Original suspended floor vs the new ground bearing slab floor with insulation

Details and U-values

The existing wall construction on the left in figure 2a is just stone and render, I have proposed a solution which upgrades the thermal performance to well within the regulations for conversions of heated buildings. The build-up is as follows;

20mm Render

600mm Stonework

70mm timber studwork with 70mm rigid insulation

38mm timber batten for service cavity

15mm rigid insulated plasterboard (12.5)

This brings the U-value to 0.17 W/m2K and only causes the room to lose 135.5mm on the external faces. The insulated plasterboard will help with cold bridging and will also help further reduce the sound from outside. By being so well insulated it will future proof the building if the use changes in later on in life too.

Figure 24

Solutions Original roof vs the new insulated roof

Figure 6a – Original Roof Figure 7a – New Roof

Figure 6b – U-Value Figure 7b – U-Value

Solutions Extension details

Figure 10b – U-Value Extension floor

Figure 8a – Extension Wall Figure 8b – U-Value Extension wall

Figure 9b – U-Value Extension roof

Figure 10a – Extension floor

Figure 9a – Extension roof

Details and U-Values

The existing roof structure comprises of; slate, sarking boards and timber rafters (Figure 6a). I am proposing to thicken the depth of the rafters for strength and add rigid insulation in. the detail shows:

Slate roof tiles

Breather membrane

22mm sarking boards

225mm timber rafters

70mm of rigid insulation

Vapour control layer

12.5mm plasterboard

The U-value has been raised to 0.18 W/m2K. This is a warm roof with ample space to run services through rafter also. This will also help for access to cables etc. (Figure 7a).

The extension will be much easier to stick to the new regulations as there will be no need to upgrade and add to existing structures. Wall: Figure 8a Roof: Figure 9a

-20mm render - slate roof tiles - 100mm blockwork - breather membrane - 50mm cavity - 22mm sarking boards - Breather membrane - 22mm timber rafters - 10mm chipboard sheathing - 70mm rigid insulation - 100mm timber frame - vapour control layer - 100mm rigid insulation - 12.5mm plasterboard - 38mm batten for service Cavity - 15mm rigid insulation with Plasterboard (12.5mm)

Floor: Figure 10a -earth - 140mm Hardcore - 50mm sand blinding - DPM - 150mm rigid insulation - 150mm reinforced concrete - 8mm foam underlay/fibre board - 22mm solid timber flooring

Figure 11b – Foundation detail Figure 11c – Original eaves detail Figure 11d – Extension eaves detail

Critical Sections

Figure 11a – Critical Section

LDN Details

Figure 12 – Extension Floor

Figure 13 – Extension Wall

10mm Plywood

22mm Chipboard Floorboards

Raised floor structure

150mm Reinforced Concrete

70mm Rigid insulation

DPM

50mm Sand blinding

140mm Hardcore

Earth

U–value = 0.2 W/m2K

22mm Render

100mm Blockwork

50mm Cavity

Breather membrane

150mm Studwork with 150mm rigid insulation

25mm Ecotherm insulation

Tyvek vapour control Barrier

38mm Service cavity

12.5mm Plasterboard

U–value = 0.15 W/m2K

• Natural slate • Breather membrane

• 22mm sarking board • 200mm timber rafters with 150mm

• Rigid insulation • 25mm Tyvek insulation

• Vapour control layer • 38mm service cavity

• 12.5mm plasterboard U–value = 0.13 W/m2K

The specifications that LDN have proposed will comply with the new regulations for new builds. They have put an extra layer of insulation over the 150mm rigid between the studs which will overlap them both and help drastically to prevent cold bridging. The ground floor is a ground bearing slab sitting on 70mm rigid insulation and has a raised timber floor that sits 100mm above the slab. This will be good for access to services and also during the construction process when laying pipes and wires. The roof has a service cavity on the inner side sitting in front of a 25mm layer of insulation that overlaps all the studs and insulation behind so like the extension walls it will prevent cold bridging.

Figure 14 – Extension roof

Figure 00 – LDN Section

Thermal Compliance

When it comes to converting an older building you have to think about the modern building regulations for thermal compliance. The stone walls that make up the Merkinch Welfare Hall are very thick so consideration needs to be taken about loss of floor space. If better insulation was used, for example SF-19 foil insulation or dense rigid insulation then there won’t be as much floor space lost in comparison to mineral wool which is less effective. In the case of a building that was previously designed to be heated, the impact on energy efficiency as a result of the conversion may be detrimental but could be negligible, or in some circumstances even an improvement. A less demanding approach applied which aims to ensure that some overall improvements are being made to the existing building stock (Scottish Technical Handbook). The table below shows the U-value requirements for heated buildings, they are less than what is required for new buildings making it easier and also cheaper to renovate older buildings. It also means that less floor space will be taken up by trying to comply with new regulations.

Figure 15 – 6.5 U-value Table for Conversion of Heated Buildings, Scottish Technical Handbook

The table below shows the U-value requirements for new buildings, they are more strict than heated buildings but with different new materials you get now it is relatively straight forward and easier to comply without the need to have an overly thick wall.

Figure 16 – 6.2 U-value Table for New Buildings, Energy, Scottish Technical Handbook

One key point in the thermal performance of a building is the cold bridging, this can have a dramatic effect on the building. As insulation values of new buildings improve, the need to limit heat loss through thermal bridging becomes increasingly important. Incorrect detailing at design stage or poor construction work can have a significant adverse effect on building performance so we need to think about how we layer the insulation and how to work with air cavities so cold bridging does not occur.

Obviously with older buildings there will be different challenges and difficulties as it will have been built under different design and buildings regulations if any at all. The performance levels in the table to clause 5.1.2 should be considered as a benchmark, but it may not be possible to achieve these levels in all circumstances. Consultation on such matters at an early stage with both the verifier and the planning officer of the relevant authority is advisable (Scottish Technical Handbook). Achieving these levels of sound performance would prove too demanding so there will be some lenience and the option to compensate somewhere else. Another important factor will be the potential for the services to cause a noise nuisance therefore, it is important that the design of building services, their position in the building and the building structure should be considered at an early stage in the design process (Scottish Technical Handbook) so as to avoid these issues further down the line.

Figure 17 – Table 5.1.2, Noise, Scottish Technical Handbook

The Merkinch Welfare hall will have to be designed and constructed in a way that will prevent the spread of fire and smoke through the different compartments from the point the fire started for a certain amount of time. The Merkinch Hall will be used as a boxing club with offices above, this means that since the building has more than one use so a separating wall or separating floor should be provided between parts of a building where they are in different occupation. (Scottish Technical Handbook). As you can see from the table both the boxing club part and the office part of the building have the same, fire resistance durations. This means that when it comes to separating them then both sides will be the same which will keep the cost down and keep things simple for the people building it. Another major factor to consider when looking at fire compliance is the escape routes. Occupants should be able to reach a protected door before there is a noticeable accumulation of smoke in the route of escape. Therefore, to provide for safe evacuation of the occupants, it is necessary to have limitations on the distance occupants should have to travel to reach a protected door (Scottish Technical Handbook). Since the building is over 100 years old it may not comply with the travel distance regulations of today. Consideration will need to be taken there and also if there needs to be any more exits added or not. The travel distances are measured based on the actual route of escape to a point of safety within the building. Another issue could be that the hallways may need to be made wider to accommodate for wheelchair users to exit the building.

Design considerations for place

Putting sound insulation in an older building for separating walls can prove to be difficult at times. There are many irregularities and achieving the design performance levels for conversions can present challenges. The presence of hidden voids within constructions, back to back fireplaces, cupboards and gaps between construction elements in walls and floors, mean that it may not be possible to use ‘pattern book’ type constructions to achieve the design performance levels. When conversions are undertaken, the adaption of the existing building should be considered at the design stage. Conversions of traditional buildings should achieve the performance levels in the table to clause 5.1.2 (Scottish Technical Handbook). This sets limitations for what you can do with the design and materials used in the building. Attention will need to be applied to what materials will be suitable and how it will affect internal space and layouts.

Figure 16

Noise Compliance

Fire Compliance

Figure 18 – Table 2.2, Fire separation resistance, Scottish Technical Handbook

Conclusion

By looking at all the aspects of this building such as the thermal compliance, fire regulations and noise compliance you can see that with careful consideration and a good design process that it can be retained for future use. The downside to this is though that some space will be lost to make it comply and it will add a significant cost to the build and construction progress. By lining the inside of the existing structure with an insulated timber frame, a service cavity and insulated plasterboard the walls will perform much better and be well within the guidelines with room to spare. This will also help future proof the building if the design or use is to change further down the line. The proposed details for the roof consists of thicker joists to be stronger, longer lasting and then to put rigid insulation between them. This means that there will be more than enough space to run services through the rafters and there will be easier access for repairs or adaptions. The original floor is a suspended timber floor which would be too hard to meet the new regulations without changing other aspects such as disability access. I have proposed a ground bearing slab floor, this will meet the new regulations and also help with fire as concrete is a non-combustible material. Overall, each aspect of the building envelope is going to have to be changed drastically to meet new regulations which will incur a higher cost. But in the long run it will benefit the community and uplift that area and set a precedent for more developments like it to start going up.

Figure 19 – Merkinch Welfare Hall Render, Andrew Maggs

Figure 1a - Highland Historic Buildings Trust, (2011), Merkinch Welfare Hall [ONLINE]. Available at: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=merkinch+welfare+hall&safe=trict&biw=1745&bih=895&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiO7b3UwL_JAhXKXBoKHUb9

DZkQ_AUICCgD&dpr=1.1#imgrc=BuU6raPkhVcb-M%3A [Accessed 03 December 15].

Figure 1b - Google, (2012), Skyline [ONLINE]. Available

at: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=inverness+skyline&espv=2&biw=1920&bih=955&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiR8frFscDJAhUE9h4KHdf7D3AQ_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=front+cover+ideas+architecture&imgrc=F9HqugxV9SEFHM%3A[Accessed 03 December 15].

Figure 2a - Maggs, AM, 2015. Original stone wall. Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs.

Figure 2b – U-value, Vesma. 2015. Vesma U-value Calculator. [ONLINE] Available at: http://vesma.com/tutorial/uvalue01/uvalue01.htm. [Accessed 04 December 15].

Figure 3a - Maggs, AM, 2015. New stone wall, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs.

Figure 3b - U-value, Vesma. 2015. Vesma U-value Calculator. [ONLINE] Available at: http://vesma.com/tutorial/uvalue01/uvalue01.htm. [Accessed 04 December 15].

Figure 4a - Maggs, AM, 2015. Original floor, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs.


Figure 5a - Maggs, AM, 2015. New floor, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs.


Figure 6a - Maggs, AM, 2015. Original roof, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs.


Figure 7a – Maggs, AM, 2015. New roof, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs.


Figure 8a – Maggs, AM, 2015. Extension wall, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs.


Figure 9a – Maggs, AM, 2015. Extension roof, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs.


Figure 10a – Maggs, AM, 2015. Extension floor, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs.

Figure 10b - U-value, Vesma. 2015. Vesma U-value Calculator. [ONLINE] Available at: http://vesma.com/tutorial/uvalue01/uvalue01.htm. [Accessed 04 December 15]. Figure 11a - Maggs, AM, 2015, Critical section, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs.

Figure 11b - U-value, Vesma. 2015. Vesma U-value Calculator. [ONLINE] Available at: http://vesma.com/tutorial/uvalue01/uvalue01.htm. [Accessed 04 December 15]. Figure 11c - Maggs, AM, 2015, Extension eaves section, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs. Figure 11d – Maggs, AM, 2015, Original eaves section, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs. Figure 12 – Maggs, AM, 2015, Extension Floor, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs. Figure 13 – Maggs, AM, 2015, Extension Wall, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs. Figure 14 - Maggs, AM, 2015, Extension Roof, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs. Figure 15 – Table 6.5, Scottish Technical Handbook, Non-Domestic, Energy, Building insulation envelope, conversion of heated buildings, Scottish Government, (Published 2015) Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486496.pdf Figure 16 – Table 6.2, Scottish Technical Handbook, Non-Domestic, Energy, Building insulation envelope, conversion of heated buildings, Scottish Government, (Published 2015) Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486496.pdf Figure 17 - Table 5.1.2, Scottish Technical Handbook, Non-Domestic, Noise, Noise separation, Scottish Government, (Published 2015) Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486496.pdf Figure 18 – Table 2.2, Scottish Technical Handbook, Non-Domestic, Fire, Separation, Scottish Government, (Published 2015) Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486496.pdf Figure 19 – Maggs, AM, 2015, Merkinch Welfare Hall render, Inverness College UHI: Andrew Maggs Scottish Technical Handbook, Non-Domestic, Noise, Noise separation, Scottish Government, (Published 2015) Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486496.pdf Scottish Technical Handbook, Non-Domestic, Noise, Noise separation, Scottish Government, (Published 2015) Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486496.pdf

Scottish Technical Handbook, Non-Domestic, Noise, Noise separation, Scottish Government, (Published 2015) Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486496.pdf

Scottish Technical Handbook, Non-Domestic, Energy, Building insulation envelope, Scottish Government, (Published 2015) Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486496.pdf Scottish Technical Handbook, Non-Domestic, Fire, separation, Scottish Government, (Published 2015) Available at: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0048/00486496.pdf

Andrew Maggs Inverness College UHI 14002754

References

Baden Powell, CBP, 1997. Architect's Pocket Book. 2nd ed. Oxford: Architectural Press. Goldberger, PG, 2009. Why Architecture Matters. 1st Ed. New haven and London: Yale University Press. Rasmussen, SER, 1962. Experience Architecture. 1st ed. Massachusetts: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Getty Conservation Institute. 2011. Contemporary Architecture in Historic Urban Environments. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/newsletters/26_2/contemporary.html. [Accessed 03 December 15]. Building Conservation. 2013. Extending Listed Buildings. [ONLINE] Available at:http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/extending-listed-buildings/extending-listed-buildings.htm. [Accessed 03 December 15].

Bibliography

http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/extending-listed-buildings/extending-listed-buildings.htm

http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/extending-listed-buildings/extending-listed-buildings.htm

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