Distinctively designed centre inspired by site’s history serves as a meeting place for Bath communities

Mulberry Park Community Hub - Structural and MEP Engineering Design

For their new 700-home development on a former Ministry of Defence (MoD) site, Curo wanted a community space that would act as a beacon and reflect the site’s history. They selected us as part of the team to help realise their vision.

Collaborating with architect BDP, project manager Ridge, and contractor Rydon, our structural engineering team was briefed to deliver a unique co-location of facilities that would prove adaptable to future uses. Both our structural and BDP’s architectural designs took cues from Mulberry Harbours. These temporary floating harbours were used for the Allied invasion of Normandy during the Second World War and designed by the Admiralty who were located at this site when it was an MoD base. Copper alloy cladding has been used on the main cantilever and other parts of the building. This is perforated with patterns derived from historic aerial photographs of the harbours and is used to highlight the two beacon elements and other key aspects of the scheme.

Our mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) engineering team delivered the services design strategy up to RIBA Stage 3. We focused on incorporating natural ventilation and natural light, while underfloor heating and exposed concrete soffits admit night-time purging. Large expanses of glass create light-filled spaces on the ground floor for both the school and the café and multifunctional spaces.

With a gross internal floor area of 3,150 square metres (33,906 square feet) the Community Hub provides space for a 210-seat primary school, 70-seat children's nursery, and various community facilities. These include a café, clinic, fitness suite, business enterprise spaces, flexible spaces for community uses, and a 4G pitch and multi-use games area outside the facility.