ISG builds a £4 million library, health and children's centre in Pelsall

Construction work is now underway on ISG’s £4 million project to build a new library, health centre and children’s centre in Pelsall, West Midlands, following the earlier demolition of the existing library building by the contractor.

In a complex programme involving phased relocation of community services, the library has now moved into temporary premises to allow demolition of the old library building and construction of a new facility to house the library, a health centre and a children’s centre. The new building is due to be handed over in summer 2012, at which point medical staff will move across from the existing doctors’ surgery on site, which will then be demolished by ISG and replaced by car parking facilities.

Designed by architects Baart Harries Newall, the two-storey building is a hybrid structure, with traditional brick and block work construction up to first floor level and a steel frame structure to the second floor sat on top of a pre-cast concrete floor. The library, pharmacy, children’s centre and a number of health offices and treatment rooms are located to the ground floor. The first floor health centre features a large central open plan waiting area, with treatment and consultation rooms around the perimeter.

The new development is targeting a BREEAM ‘very good’ environmental performance rating and incorporates highly efficient mechanical and electrical services, as well as a number of roof lights to maximise the volume of natural light entering into the first floor waiting area. The project also includes provision of an external underground sprinkler tank for the fire protection systems, children’s play area, staff car parking and associated hard and soft landscaping across the site.

ISG’s Jonathan Kell, managing director - Midlands, commented: “The development represents a challenging undertaking both from the unconventional design of the new building and the tightly constrained and busy nature of the site’s location. We have worked closely with all stakeholders involved in the scheme to ensure that this complex project is delivered in a carefully phased and robustly managed programme to ensure a successful delivery, whilst minimising any disruption to our neighbours.”