Our brief, when we won the contract for a new-build secure unit in Manchester, was to provide a facility which was ‘anti-institutional’, while ensuring all designs were anti ligature and incorporated 10% renewables.

We installed a full range of electrical and mechanical services for the 14-bed unit, following several client review meetings to ascertain how the facility would be used and the selection of services required in each area. To identify the most feasible LZC (low and zero carbon) technologies, we carried out a sustainability report – which revealed that air to water heat pumps were the most efficient heating solution. This enabled us to achieve 17% renewables – exceeding our target by 7%!