A new Hertfordshire Constabulary headquarters sets a benchmark for health and sustainability in construction.
Willmott Dixon has delivered a new £56 million headquarters for Hertfordshire Constabulary in Welwyn Garden City, marking the first police facility in the UK to achieve a Platinum ranking under the WELL Building Standard. This 9,000 square metre development consolidates multiple operational units including the major crime unit, victim services, and the dog unit, replacing the 1960s-era Stanborough building.
The WELL standard focuses on how buildings promote health and wellness for occupants, an increasingly important consideration in both residential and commercial construction projects. Integral to this scheme was a commitment to environmental performance from the outset, with the inclusion of air-source heat pumps and high-efficiency HVAC systems designed to reduce operational emissions significantly. The building’s reinforced primary frame adds thermal mass and resilience, enhancing energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Future-proofing was a key element, with photovoltaic infrastructure installed to enable on-site renewable energy generation, alongside a sustainable urban drainage system (SuDS) to responsibly manage water on site. These features reflect a growing trend in Greater London and the Home Counties towards sustainable, wellness-focused developments that meet rigorous environmental and occupant wellbeing criteria.
From a construction management perspective, projects of this nature demand meticulous planning and coordination to integrate advanced building technologies while adhering to stringent sustainability standards. Effective management ensures that design intent translates into operational performance, meeting both client expectations and regulatory requirements. Atico Solutions recognises that such comprehensive approaches to construction and sustainability are essential to delivering buildings that serve their communities well into the future.
Source: The Construction Index
Led by Trevor Read and Dillan Gandhi, Atico Solutions is a high-end construction management and procurement company. Learn more here.