Brief Outline

As part of ongoing library refurbishment projects we were appointed to design and contract administrate to replace the MEP services and internal layouts.

We prepared a bespoke specification for tender and assisted the appointment of the contractors and carried out full contract administration duties.

Processes to ensure good working relationships

We work with the various department team including planning, IT, libraries and corporate side and over the years have developed a close relationship. Our past experience and continued library projects with Southwark projects serve us well.

Design Challenges

Two key challenges we met when designing:
• Working with client budgets, managing expectation
• Designing systems that added value

How these challenges were overcome

London Borough of Southwark and the prime ministers’ set goals and guidelines which was announced in December 2020 expressing the essentiality for the UK to achieve its Net Zero 2050 target as well as an immediate reduction of 68 percent by 2030. DMP have made it our priority to do what we can to reduce our carbon footprint.

When redesigning the John Harvard Library, selection of the air conditioning system was dependent on the systems properties, settling for a system with limited environmental impact with high efficiency and reliability.

Before selection, different manufacturers systems was assessed in the design stage, carefully analysing the technological benefits of each system. Examining the operation and internal components of the model, visiting projects where in use and reviewing energy consumption and data.
The final selection was based on a ranking system on capital cost, energy consumption, environmental impact (e.g. EPC and DEC), achieving Net Zero and a healthier environment for the library visitors.