Pedder and Scampton Architects - brochure to show work in community and education fields - part 3

1. SUSTAINABILITY
Pedder and Scampton aim to design all their buildings to be as sustainable as possible both at
the design stage and for the life of the building. We try to take a holistic view of each project so
as to make sensible decisions that will have the maximum impact in each individual case. Thus
the key sustainable issues will vary from project to project dependent upon the site, location,
brief and budget. Issues such as the use of renewable energy, recycled materials, natural
insulation etc are considered for each project as a matter of course.
At the outset of each project we will review the opportunities and difficulties offered by a given
site and this review will include consideration of issues such as orientation, access and the
possibilities for the incorporation of renewable energy sources. Wherever possible we will do
this in conjunction with consultants who have specialist sustainability knowledge. The review
ensures that sustainable issues are considered at the outset and incorporated into the
preliminary sketch designs and not just bolted on. Once this review has been carried out we will
make proposals to the client as to possible sustainability measures that can be included in the
building. It is important that such elements are appropriate to the user group and can be easily
understood and operated – for example, blinds that need to be regularly raised and lowered are
not useful if there is no one available to understand the system and to do this at the appropriate
times.
New house, West Hampstead House extension, East Sheen
An example of this initial assessment process is the Training Centre for Thrive in Battersea Park
where we worked with Price and Myer’s Sustainability team. The site is dominated by a very
large plane tree and siting of the building had to be carefully considered in order not to damage
its roots. Price and Myers carried out solar studies for the whole site which concluded that it
would not be possible to generate any significant renewable energy on the site because of the
shading created by the tree. (The site was also not suitable for a wind turbine or a ground
source heat pump). Key sustainability issues for the project then became orienting the building
to maximise the use of natural daylight, achieve good natural ventilation and minimise heat loss
and heating bills.
Similarly, the building is sited in a park and we are investigating the possibilities of using a log
fired boiler which could use the timber produced by the park maintenance contractors. Issues to
be considered here include the long term viability of the park as a source of logs – these are
likely to acquire value in the future and may no longer be available to our client, the storage
requirements of large quantities of logs and the health and safety issues associated with loading
the boiler with logs on a daily basis.
A priority for Pedder and Scampton is to get fundamental issues right which do not add cost to
the building but which minimise carbon emissions, energy consumption, waste and the embodied

2. energy in the materials used. This involves careful consideration of siting and orientation of each
project as well as the specification of appropriate materials, insulation etc.
For all projects we aim to orient the building as far as possible to maximise the use of natural
daylight and benefit from solar gain where useful, and to provide shading or omit windows where
not. The quality of internal environments is very important to us and we aim to create designs
that avoid overheating and glare without the need for air conditioning.
Similarly, for all our projects we aim to design in a way that minimises waste and to avoid
replacing sound building fabric unless essential. For example, if substantial excavations are
required we would aim to try and reuse the spoil elsewhere on the site and in refurbishment work
we often upgrade and reuse elements such as existing windows and doors rather than replacing
these.
New materials are considered for their sustainability – we often specify timber and we consider
reclaimed materials as well as new. Materials are sourced locally where possible. We are
constantly reviewing the possibilities for efficient insulation – this is particularly critical for our
inner city work where sites are often very tight and construction thicknesses can act as a major
constraint on a project. However we have recently specified sheep’s wool insulation and have
looked into the possibilities of hemp and recycled newspaper etc.
We have not yet specified a grey water recycling system for a project – these do seem to provide
some difficulties in use and require commitment from the building users, but this is something
that we discuss with individual clients in the light of their particular needs. We do, however, aim
to collect rainwater for gardening use.
We also consider the use of green roofs wherever possible – issues to consider include location
and maintenance – and we have specified extensive green roofs on a number of occasions.
Our interests extend into the landscape around our buildings and we have designed the gardens
to several projects both domestic and community based. The designs have included features
such as wildlife friendly ponds and planting to provide a variety of habitats.
The Haringey recycling project provided a specific opportunity to research the availability and
performance of recycled materials – for example, the ground surfacing for these sites is a
distinctive resin bound finish made from blue recycled glass which has worn well in use, and
panels made from items such as recycled Wellington boots and mobile phones have proved very
popular with the users. We have specified reclaimed timber floors on a number of occasions and
specify soft lime mortars wherever possible so that bricks can be recycled wherever possible.
Panel made from recycled mobile phones

3. TESTIMONIALS
‘…your architects are amazing. I’ve seen hundreds of projects all over the country and believe
me, your lot are the best. No one has reflected the needs of the residents/members with such
latitude of thinking, depth of understanding and glorious attention to detail. The building
embodies empathy with those who will use it.’
ODPM – funders for Press House, Crisis and Parker House projects
‘…P&S are a totally professional firm…do not be put off by their small size…your client will get
the highest quality design…originating in the client’s needs and aspirations….They are sticklers
for quality and design integrity….’
Project Manager, Stadium Housing Association
‘The public has given the thumbs-up to the top-notch sites in Seven Sisters as usage has
increased dramatically. The amount of recylables collected has risen by more than 20%’
LB Haringey Press Release about recycling sites
‘the touchdowns are excellent…we continually get excellent comments and feedback from
visitors to the building on their design and functionality’
Powergen Facilities Management Team
‘It’s looking fabulous! I took a little girl into the crèche earlier this week and she dashed straight
for the play cupboards and didn’t want to come out. Everyone who comes to visit is so
impressed….’
Manager, New Beginnings Day Centre
Child’s eye view from inside playspace cupboards, Day Centre

4. PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS & PRACTICE RESOURCES
We are a small Architectural practice with 2 Directors who each run projects, one senior architect
and one recently qualified architect. Our workload is very varied and we often work with part time
staff who have the appropriate qualifications for the current projects in the office. We have a good
network of contacts with different skills and because many work for us part time they bring a
range of other expertise into the office. To date these skills include teaching (university level
architecture), family, post graduate specialist studies, architectural publishing……
We have carried out projects with construction budgets of around £1 million with the team above
and would take on additional staff should the need arise to keep a project adequately resourced.
Pedder and Scampton also have an established network of specialist Consultants who provide
support and specialist services in the following areas: graphics (production of promotional
material), computer visualization (3D photomontages etc.), perspective artist and modelmakers.
These are employed on a ‘project by project’ basis by Pedder and Scampton, with a body of
knowledge and standard systems that is carried through from one project to the next.
Pedder & Scampton Architects Ltd is a RIBA registered practice.
Helen Pedder & Gillian Scampton with the clients, user group and funding
representative at the opening of the Press House scheme
Member of ARB/RIBA joint validation panel for Schools of Architecture
Member of RIBA validation committee 2003 to date.
Design tutor, Cambridge University department of Architecture and History of Art 1987/1989 The
educational and professional qualifications of the two partners are:
Helen Pedder
Bachelor of Arts, Manchester University 1981, Bachelor of Architecture, Manchester University
1984, RIBA Part 3 & ARCUK Registration 1986, RIBA Membership 1986 to date
External Examiner for Bartlett School of Architecture Professional Practice Examinations 2005 to
date.
Gillian Scampton
MA Architecture, Cambridge University 1981, Diploma in Architecture, Cambridge University
1984, RIBA Part 3 exemption & ARCUK Registration 1986, RIBA Membership 1985 to date
External Examiner for Bartlett School of Architecture Professional Practice Examinations 1999 to
date.

5. External Examiner for University of Cambridge School of Architecture Professional Practice
Examinations 2003
External Examiner for Part 1 at Manchester School of Architecture, 2004-2006
Pedder & Scampton prefer to provide Architectural services right through from inception to
completion of the building as this enables us to work closely with the clients and construction
team to ensure the key ideas in the design are retained and realised. It has also in the past meant
that we can be involved closely with the very start and the very end of a project. For instance we
regularly take part in consultations that inform the design and detail design process in the early
stages. Similarly ‘completion projects’ where for example an artist comes in to work with part of
the user group on specific elements that finish the building off can be planned in from the start as
part of the whole building design and procurement.
PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE
Pedder & Scampton currently hold Professional Indemnity Insurance up to £500,000.00 (copy of
verification document can be supplied if required).
Pedder & Scampton also hold Public & Employer’s Liability Insurance. Copies available if
required.
CONTACT DETAILS
Helen Pedder or Gillian Scampton
Pedder & Scampton Architects
United House
North Road
London N7 9DP
T: 020 7607 4156
F: 020 7607 4165
email@pedderscampton.com
www@pedderscampton.com