Architect: Purcell Miller Tritton
Client: North Norfolk district council
The refurbishment of the Pavilion theatre at Cromer pier in North Norfolk forms part of a major seafront enhancement scheme by architects Purcell Miller Tritton. Due to be completed in the autumn, this ambitious EU-funded programme includes re-landscaping the existing promenade and building the new Rocket House lifeboat museum.
With regards to the theatre, the principal aim was to improve the general arrangement and functioning of the internal spaces. During the design process, one of the main environmental problems facing the team, was how to ventilate the 2400 cubic metre, 510 seat auditorium. A tight budget meant that the chosen system would not only have to be cost-effective to install but also economical to operate and maintain. In addition, planning concerns relating to the piers grade 2 listed status necessitated a system that would also minimise any visual impact on the existing building. To this end a naturally ventilated approach was adopted using roof mounted Windcatchers.
The external appearance of the Windcatchers was thought to have the least visual impact, particularly in comparison with the proposals for overhead air handling units and wall mounted fan coils. The decision to use Windcatchers was made early on enabling the manufacture to work closely with the project team. This also ensured that there was adequate time in which to consult the planners over the visual and performance characteristics of the system before gaining the necessary approvals.
A ventilation rate of eight litres of fresh air per second (8l/s/p) was established as the main objective of the ventilation strategy in accordance with BS5295. Monodrughts approach was to model the theatres ventilation needs during summer daytime and evening conditions. A 5ºC temperature differential was assumed for the former and 8ºC temperature differential was assigned to the later.
In the final specification Monodraught recommended a total of six 1500mm diameter circular, low profile units. The ventilators, which measure only 885mm high from the top of the roof, were specified in a light grey finish to reduce further their visual impact. |
