InSite | The Charter, Gravesend, by Reef Group – Case study

Questions put to Philip Duckworth, Design Director, Reef Group

Please describe The Charter residential development

The scheme is located in the heart of Gravesend town centre, close to excellent transport links to London and local town centre amenities.

Within the development there will be a number of flexible internal amenity spaces, offering communal workspace, lounges, event spaces and a games area for residents.

Externally, a large courtyard garden will be provided along with a number of roof terraces offering views across the Thames.

From your website, you say: “Using good design to create places that have a positive and lasting impact on people is at the heart of every one of our developments.” How does The Charter deliver on this?

The carefully designed flexible amenity spaces within the development will be the key feature which will have a positive impact on residents.

The development will also bring wider benefits to local businesses (for example the neighbouring market hall traders) and the vitality of Gravesend town centre; bringing in more residents and local spend into the centre which will have a knock-on effect to the nearby historic High Street which currently suffers from low footfall and investment.

The Charter will also help reinstate the historical link between the town with the river, enriching the nearby riverside public gardens and promenade.

Why did you choose to work with Premier Guarantee?

Premier Guarantee are a leading and well-recognised warranty provider who work in a helpful, collaborative manner with developers and contractors. They also have the reputation, track record and warranty products to satisfy Local Authority and institutional funder requirements.

Learn more at Reef Group: reefgroup.co.uk/project/gravesend

Energy efficiency and sustainability at The Charter

• Enhanced building envelope: Achieving lower u-values than current and notional future (Part L 2021) Building Regulations (0.17 W/m2K for walls, 0.10 W/m2K for floors and 0.10 W/m2K for roofs) through increased levels of high performance insulation
• Triple glazing: Achieving lower u-values (1.1 W/m2K) than Building Regulations
• Optimised g values: In all glazing to prevent excess heat gain
• Air tightness: Achieving greater air tightness (3m3/hm2) than Building Regulations, reducing heat loss
• 10% Improvement on Building Regulations: For carbon emissions
• LED lighting: Energy efficient luminaires used throughout
• Lighting controls: In circulation spaces to reduce energy use
• Thermostatic controls: To each individual apartment to control energy usage through void periods
• Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MHVR): used throughout the buildings to recover and reuse up to 95% of waste heat
• Photovoltaic panels: Large array located on the roofs to either be used by the development or sold back to the grid
• Smart metering system: Allows detailed reports on energy use to be sent to the building managers to address any issues
• Sustainable drainage: Below ground attenuation storage tanks installed, minimising pumped drainage and associated energy consumption
• Plant: Procuring energy efficient plant and equipment including efficient hot water cylinders
• Electrical heating system: Providing a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to gas-fired systems with 100% efficient electric panel heaters in all apartments