Temperance Square, Loftus

Temperance Square is a new building designed for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council’s East Cleveland Employability Skills and Training Centre, bringing new employment and training opportunities to local residents. The centre will provide two new training rooms, interview spaces and support facilities as well as being available for community use.

The wider design team have worked within the challenges of budget, steep site topography and drainage requirement. They have also worked to overcome the constraint of demolishing an existing building within a designated conservation area.

Sustainability was a key requirement for this project, therefore a number of feasibility options were explored including the reuse and repurpose of the existing terraced housing on the present site. Various types of structure for a new build, including a timber frame, were also considered.  A key challenge to the project design has been incorporating low carbon materials, low energy use and renewable energy technology where possible whilst balancing with the budget available. The client’s aspiration for ‘better than building regs’ was achieved (+20%), and thanks to the use of photovoltaics and an Air Source Heat Pump the completed building will be fossil fuel free. We achieved this by applying the principles of Lean Design, complemented with simple controls for ease of operation.

The scheme gained planning approval in February 2023. Demolition began in May 2023 prior to the new build main works commencing in Autumn 2023 and completion is scheduled for 2024. Images © GT3 Architects

Client:	Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
Services Provided:	Full M & E Design, Sustainability & Renewables Advice
Dates:	February 2023 – Present
Technologies and Unique Features	Air Source Heat Pump, Lean Design,