Return to Camphill to create lifetime homes
SJD is working on a project to provide the full electrical scheme for new accessible houses at Camphill MK in the Pennylands area of Milton Keynes.
Camphill MK was founded in 1981 and provides supported living for adults with learning disabilities and autism enabling them to live, learn and work together. Currently, more than 70 adults live permanently at Camphill MK and as part of the Charity’s capital plan, they are expanding their operations by providing new accommodation to support more adults with learning disabilities.
Working with the client’s project team and the contractor Watson & Cox, SJD has now got to second fix stage of the project which will see construction of a block of seven apartments with a communal kitchen, common areas and gardens for Camphill residents.
Based at Camphill’s site housing their Michael Akyre Building, the accessible homes will each have their own bedroom and bathroom and have been designed to be energy efficient. Based on the Lifetime Homes standard, they have been thoughtfully designed and can be adaptable at minimal cost, ensuring that residents can stay in their home for longer as their needs change.
SJD’s ability to be agile on the project was recently acknowledged by Watson & Cox. Jake Sanders, director said: “A big thank you to SJD for going the extra mile recently on this project for Camphill MK. At short notice they were able to undertake the fixing of concealed bracketry in preparation for the future installation of bed hoists. It was nice to see their apprentice in the thick of things too.”
SJD is providing the electrical infrastructure for the new building which will use air source heating. Energy efficient lighting with passive infrared controls will reduce energy consumption and solar panels, installed by the project’s roofing contractor, are expected to produce around 13kW of energy per building. The panels have been installed over a green roof which will be sewn with wildlife-friendly seeds next spring.
An energy centre will provide the main hub for these apartments and future buildings, where the main electrical distribution and site-wide security and a data hub will be situated.
Security installations include remotely managed CCTV, video door access, and external lighting to ensure the residents remain safe.
Camphill Milton Keynes is a very special place where SJD is proud to have been providing electrical services for many years. Richard Harrison, senior electrical contracts manager said: “I have fond memories of working on site for Camphill many years ago, before my current role. And I’m really looking forward to completing the second fix stage and seeing this project come to life.”
There’s a real sense of circular economy on the project with pallets and excess timber from the construction works being donated to the residents for them to turn into planters and bug hotels in their workshop.
“It is important to us that we minimise the carbon impact of the project, and part of that is finding high quality contractors who are local, that can be part of the team. Finding SJD as a contractor helps us deliver that ambition,” said Tim Davies, chief executive officer, of Camphill MK. “Watson & Cox, our main contractor, and our build team have worked hard to find local suppliers too, such as our stone supply coming from a quarry in Corby.”
The electrical design will be repeated on further blocks due to be constructed on the site in the future.
Mark Eustace, Camphill MK’s project manager said: “SJD is making an excellent contribution to the project and is on target to deliver the first accommodation block in early March 2025 for residents to move into this much needed resource in Milton Keynes. Camphill is a very important charity locally, nationally and internationally providing residential and social opportunities in a very sensitive and well-managed environment and I’m proud to be associated with the organisation.
“This phase will deliver the first of five residential blocks with adaptable living accommodation so residents can remain in the Camphill community. We’re including installations such as rise and fall basins in bathrooms to accommodate all needs and each building will be DDA compliant.”
Matt, Watson & Cox’s contracts manager Matt Cooper said: “It’s a pleasure to work for a client which has the best interests of the end-user at heart. They want the very best standard of finish for their residents.”
Pictured above (L-R) Richard Harrison – senior contracts manager, Jake Wood – apprentice, Craig Gower – foreman
