40 Years of Hannans: Q&A with John Walker

40 Years of Hannans: Q&A with John Walker

Name: John Walker

Role: Director

Tell us a little bit about how you came to join Hannan Associates and what it was like when you started.

The previous director decided to emigrate to New Zealand and I responded to a Hannan advertisement for an Electrical Director Designate.

I was interviewed by Bill, Heather and Ian and was lucky to land the position.

Hannan Associates was a successful business with a good reputation when I joined but I could see there were areas of improvement needed to underpin the success and move it forwards.

There was too much focus on Bill Hannan as an individual and not enough on the other talented people in the business so we began to market the wider skills base with clients.

How has the business changed since you joined?

The Business relocated to a new office in Denton which showcased some of the ideas and technologies we were recommending to clients at the time.

The design processes and the skills we require have evolved, driven by the availability of design software and faster computer technology.

Sustainability and the need to improve the performance of buildings has significantly enhanced our role within the design teams and our relationship with the architect.

The increased complexity of developments and buildings has resulted in more specialists being required within the team and we now offer a much wider range of services to clients to meet this demand.

We now operate successfully in a wider range of sectors some of which have been planned and some has been in response to repeat client requests.

What do you think has been the key to keeping so many long-term clients happy over the years?

Everyone in the business is aware of how important it is to keep repeat clients happy and has a good understanding of what it takes but I think it goes beyond that because our people are genuinely interested in delivering what is needed for success on the projects even if that means stepping outwith our scope and I think clients recognise this.

In terms of the process for us it includes; helping to define our own scope, self management, building relations with the team, flexibility, commercial awareness, technical competence, meeting deadlines, good communication and delivering value on fees.

What do you think the next ten years holds for Hannan Associates and the industry?

The focus on sustainability will continue to offer significant opportunities as we approach the worldwide carbon deadlines for 2030 and beyond.

The pace of change looks like it will be the main challenge for us over the coming years. If we are to take advance of the opportunities we will need to embrace and master the new technologies and design tools which are likely to include AI.

Construction needs to be more diverse and whilst we have moved forwards there is much more to do.

What are you most proud of in terms of your contribution to the business? 

The systems and processes which we have implemented to help us deliver our services.

The successes we’ve had with the people who joined us a graduates and trainees – even the ones who moved on.

The freedom enjoyed by the staff and the absence of red tape and bureaucracy.

The stability of the company and the way we have responded UK and World recessions.

John Walker

John Walker

Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200
Prestwich Village Regeneration Plans

Prestwich Village Regeneration Plans

Image Courtesy of Muse Places

Hannan Associates are currently working to deliver a £100million regeneration scheme within Prestwich Town Centre. The scheme is being brought forward via a joint venture partnership formed between Muse Places & Bury Council.

The existing Longfield Shopping Centre and a nearby surface car park are proposed to be used as a platform for the Phase 1 development, which will comprise of the following:

Plot A

Approx 37,000sqft Community Hub comprising community/event space, library, open plan office or health facilities, generally delivered to CAT A level of fit-out, with shell & core retail space within the ‘pavilion’ at ground floor level.

Plot B

Approx 25,000sqft retail and leisure facility constructed over ground+1 storey, with first floor open plan gym / office delivered to CAT A level of fit-out, with shell & core retail space at ground floor level.

Plot C

Approx 10,000sqft Market Hall including general retail, fresh food, and food & beverage stalls, with front of house seating area.

Plot G

Ground+3 storey car park transport hub delivering approx. 350nr spaces inluding 20% EVC provision.

Phase 2 of the development shall deliver the residential elements of the scheme and shall be brought forward in the future.

 

 

Image Courtesy of Muse Places

Energy Strategy

National Policy, local legislation and the Clients’ sustainability policies will operate to reduce energy demand and CO2 emissions, enhancing the sustainability credentials of the development.

Each of the plots has been designed with the aim of reducing operational energy and carbon emissions, and as such, each is employing a fossil fuel free all-electric strategy, with no provision of mains gas to the development.

Passive measures have been prioritised to reduce energy demand, including enhanced fabric performance and air permeability, along with optimised glazing design.

Active measures have been taken to optimise the energy efficiency of fixed base build systems, i.e. Mechanical ventilation incorporating heat recovery, low flow sanitaryware, energy efficient LED lighting and controls systems.

Low & Zero Carbon Technologies have been incorporated where applicable in the form of high efficiency heat pumps to generate space heating, and allocation of dedicated zones at roof level for installation of a PV array.

BREEAM

Plots A, B & C have been designed to achieve a minimum of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

Hannan Associates Appointment

We are working on behalf of the Client to;

  • Assess works associated with existing utilities networks to accommodate the new development proposals.
  • Consult regarding new utility supply requirements.
  • Provide MEP design duties for each plot and the associated public realm.
  • Assess the anticipated building performance using operational energy modelling techniques.
  • Undertake the BREEAM assessments for the relevant plots.

Hannan Associates are working in conjunction with Jon Mathews Architects, Chroma, Civic Engineers, MAC Construction Consultants, Hoare Lea, DFC & Asteer Planning.

 

 

 

Tom Cutt

Tom Cutt

Associate Mechanical Design Engineer

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200
Refurbishment Plans for Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey

Refurbishment Plans for Ronald McDonald House Alder Hey

Image Courtesy of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK

Our client, Ronald McDonald House Charities UK have revealed plans for the multi-million-pound refurbishment of its 83 bedroom house at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.

The refurbishment works will include a complete refit of all bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms and the addition of family kitchens to each floor. Interconnecting rooms will be created for larger / blended families and the dayroom facilities will be improved to offer complimentary services such as hairdressing, yoga and family support. There will also be a re-landscaped garden for all age groups. 

We are providing Building Services Engineering consultancy for the project, which will include the complete replacement of the heating and domestic hot water system with a new system incorporating a micro CHP unit supplemented by gas fired boilers.

LED lighting will be installed throughout along with roof mounted photovoltaics. 

We are working alongside AEW Architects, MAC Construction, Urban Green, Heyne Tillett Steel, Hydrock and Mike Jackson Associates on the project design team.

 

Image Courtesy of Ronald McDonald House Charities UK

Ronald McDonald House Charities UK provides free ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families whose children are undergoing treatment, giving them a warm and welcoming environment where they can stay for as long as they need. The RMH Alder Hey will benefit more than 900 families who will stay there each year.

The charity have raised the majority of the funds needed but have launched a public appeal to help raise the remaining required. If you would like to donate please visit https://rmhc.org.uk/liverpool-appeal/ 

 

“We are delighted to be part of the team involved in the refurbishment of RMH Alder Hey and to have the opportunity to continue our work with this brilliant charity who do such a good job of supporting families during the most difficult of times”

Andrew Carrington

Andrew Carrington

Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200

Ronald McDonald House Oxford

Ronald McDonald House Manchester

40 Years of Hannans: Q&A with Ian Joyce

40 Years of Hannans: Q&A with Ian Joyce

Name: Ian Joyce

Role: Director

Tell us a little bit about how you came to join Hannan Associates and what it was like when you started.

Hannan Associates was formed after Bill Hannan left Thermal Transfer and i joined within 6 months of the inception when there were only 3 staff and we were working in Bills dining room at his house in Charlesworth. 

 We were working on various schemes involving Energy Efficiency schemes for factories including decommissioning Oil and Steam plant and replacing with decentralised gas fired plant.  We also worked on a quite a few projects in Saudi Arabia at that time including some historic Mosque redevelopments. For the first two years we stayed in Charlesworth but space became an issue and we had to find new accommodation.  Hannan’s initially rented then bought a building in Marple which required conversion to offices.  In a short space of time after that the staffing levels reach over 40 and i had a remote office set up in another building

There was a breakthrough into larger projects when we were invited to assist in early stages of a very large London Docklands development.  This was pre curser to the Canary Wharf scheme but it kicked off all the major development in the area of London.

Over the next few years after an initial scheme to replace the floodlighting at Old Trafford, we also got involved in numerous stadia projects for Bolton, Manchester United, Manchester City, Blackburn and others.

How has the business changed since you joined?

The world has changed and whilst we started with energy saving schemes that would also be saving carbon, the extent of change of emphasis and the responsibilities of the Building Services Engineer are much greater and more significant in the design of buildings.

Nearly all projects now have a multitude of targets, modelling and reports to meet the various standards. In the 80s for a typical office scheme we would just need to meet building regulations but now we have to consider much tougher building regulations, Development Briefs, BCO Guidance, BREEAM Certification, Wired Score, Well Building, Low Carbon Targets, NABERS rating, Passive Design, Indoor air quality, LCA reports, Fire engineering strategies and Specific Planning requirements.

Then there are new requirements under the Golden Thread which are starting to be included.

What do you think has been the key to keeping so many long-term clients happy over the years?

It’s about being thorough and listening to what clients want and dealing with any problems quickly and honestly.

What do you think the next ten years holds for Hannan Associates and the industry?

It difficult to imagine but the next planned changes to building regulations and the golden thread are going to make a big difference to the work in getting a job out of the door and built.  The services engineer is going to have to be even more  involved in building design strategies.

What are you most proud of in terms of your contribution to the business? 

It’s just great to know that we were part of developing buildings which will be around for years to come and are used by thousands of people.  

 

Ian Joyce

Ian Joyce

Director

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200

BREEAM 2018 Version 6.0 Launch Update

BREEAM 2018 Version 6.0 Launch Update

The latest BREEAM scheme Version 6.0 (V6) was launched back in August 2022. This update reflects the amendment to the Energy (Part L) and Ventilation (Part F2) sections of the Building Regulations (2021), which came into effect in June 2022.

In line with the updates to building regulations, the changes to BREEAM V6 includes:

  • For England, updated energy performance scales (translator curves) in Ene 01
  • Updated criteria relating to ventilation and air quality in Hea 02

UK NC 2018 or V6?

Building Regulations

Approved Document Part L2A 2010 Conservation of fuel and power in new buildings other than dwellings, 2013 edition with 2016 amendments – for use in England

Approved Document L, Conservation of fuel and power, Volume 2: Buildings other than dwellings, 2021 edition – for use in England

Scheme Version

BREEAM UK New Construction 2018

BREEAM UK New Construction V6

Early Actions

The V6 New Construction scheme continues to place a focus on completing sustainability actions early in the design process.

Early-stage credits, which are to be completed during the Preparation & Brief (stage 1) and concept design (stage 2), include:

  • MAN 01 – Project brief and design
  • MAN 02 – Life Cycle Cost
  • HEA 02 – Indoor Air Quality Plan
  • HEA 06 – Security Needs Assessment
  • Ene 04 – Low carbon design
  • TRA 01 – Transport Assessment and Travel Plan
  • MAT 01 – Life Cycle Assessment
  • MAT 03 – Sustainable Procurement Plan
  • Mat 06 – Material efficiency
  • WST 05 – Adaptation to Climate Change Appraisal
  • WST 06 – Disassembly and Functional Adaptability Study
  • LE 02-03 – Land Use and Ecology

BRE – Pushing Best Practice Forward

BREEAM seeks to push the best practice of the construction sector forwards; this is increasingly important in the face of the current climate crisis.

One way in which the BRE is looking to continue pushing best practice is through modular updates across multiple BREEAM schemes. These modular updates will be informed by priority areas such as energy and carbon.

In line with above, consultation for Version 7 will be undertaken in May with an estimated launch date of Winter 2023/ Early 2024.

Some of these anticipated benefits BREEAM Version 7 will bring to our customers includes the ability to:

  • Better understand whole life carbon performance.
  • Compare against embodied carbon and operational energy benchmarks.
  • Monitor performance across a buildings lifecycle to understand any performance gap issues.
  • Understand alignment with decarbonisation pathways.
  • Ready themselves for our BREEAM NZC module (scheduled for release after Version 7).

For more details of our BREEAM related services please visit our BREEAM page.

If you would like to talk to us about BREEAM in more detail, please drop us an email. 

Tim Bell

Tim Bell

Head of Sustainability

Email: [email protected]
Phone: +44(0)161 337 2200

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