A landmark civic building and public realm for a new community hub

A multi-purpose building in the heart of the Whitecliffe masterplan, providing flexible, specialist facilities for health, education, and community events. Environmental features include excellent airtightness, solar glazing, natural ventilation, heat pump technology for efficient heating and cooling, intuitive controls, and a PV array. The project achieves BREEAM Excellent.

Alkerden Village is a central component of Whitecliffe, a masterplan featuring three villages and 15,000 new homes within Ebbsfleet Garden City. Designed to extend beyond housing, Alkerden offers education, civic services, and retail spaces to foster a connected and thriving community. At the heart of the village is the Alkerden Hub, a versatile, multipurpose building designed to meet a variety of community needs.

The Hub comprises three flexible, future-proof facilities: a Health Centre (1,027 sqm) for the NHS, including a hall and studios, kitchen, café, library, and offices; a Lifelong Learning Centre (1,665 sqm) with a foyer, reception, café, WCs, changing areas, early years and youth centre, library, police drop-in space, and co-working areas; and a Multi-Purpose Hall & Studios (423 sqm) for multi-faith gatherings and community events.

Skelly and Couch developed an environmental strategy for this adaptable mixed-use space, incorporating passive design principles, efficient M&E systems, and renewable energy.

Passive design features include excellent airtightness, solar glazing with optimal daylighting and natural ventilation through the building's form reducing reliance on mechanical systems.

The M&E systems feature mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR), heat pump technology for efficient heating and cooling, smart occupancy-sensitive lighting, water-saving measures, grade 'A' electrical appliances, energy-efficient lifts, and an intuitive building management system.

A roof-mounted photovoltaic array will supply renewable energy to power the heat pump systems, with the building eliminating fossil fuel use altogether.

Alkerden Hub integrates essential services with cultural activities. Its adaptive design and environmental excellence ensure it supports the estate's long-term growth and a thriving future for all.