Building Norwich Backpackers

We plan to build Norwich Backpackers on the site of the derelict Ferry Boat Inn on King Street in Norwich.

Planning has now been granted and we are keen to get building as early as we can in 2011.

The aim is to develop a seriously eco-friendly building.  We want to achieve an industrial feel to the building, essentially if we’d had a warehouse to convert then we would have done so, but we don’t so we have to build a warehouse.  Where structure can be shown then it should be, but we don’t want to add extras just for looks.  The building needs to be stripped back, meeting building regs, but not covering up where we don’t need to cover up.

Essentially there are ten parts to the build.  Companies can quote for one, some or all the parts of the build.  We already have parties interested in the whole build, acting as the main contractors, but we are also considering acting as the main contractors with a number of smaller sub contractors.

Any business wanting to quote for some or all of the build need to send us their quotations before 31st May.  Of course, this deadline has now been and gone and we’ve got some really interesting companies interested in the build.  If you missed this deadline and would still like to be considered, then you’ll have to get your skates on.   Make sure you are in touch straight away and discussing with us what you could bring to the project.

The parts of the build are as follows:

Refurbishment of Old Pub Building
The old pub building, the 3 and 2 storey building at the front of the site, will essentially stay as it is.  The downstairs will become a real ale shop and bar, the 1st and 2nd floors will become a flat.  The building is Grade 2 listed and has already been re-roofed.  Therefore the majority of the work required is to restore the internals of the building, insulating and redecorating.  There needs to be a new kitchen installed and a new entrance door on the 1st floor, which links with the new boat house building. Builders interested in this job, must have the skills to work with a Grade 2 building and be prepared to negotiate with the local conservation officer.

New Boathouse Building
The existing single storey back bar and boat house, which run down to the river, are essentially derelict.  These buildings could not be renovated, so need to be removed and a replacement built.  The new building will essentially be a timber frame barn, incorporating the lovely chalk and flint wall to the South East of the back bar and where possible the stone floor of the existing boat house.  The new building will incorporate a kitchen and living room for the hostel, two large dorms, loos and showers, canoe hire & cycle hire barn, café and covered veranda.  The external finish of the building will be timber and the roof will be terracotta tiles.  The roof will incorporate solar panels, possibly PV.  Apart from the café and canoe/cycle hire barn, the rest of the building will have underfloor heating.  Both the cafe and canoe hire will be designed to flood, with drains in floors that will allow for easy cleaning after such an event.

Hostel Building Foundations and Ground Floor
Because of the slope on the site and the fact that it forms part of the flood plain, we’ve decided that the ground floor and foundations of the site should be a more conventional build.  We are open to suggestions, but so far we haven’t found an eco-friendly building material that could cope well with potential flooding.  We therefore feel that a recycled concrete and steel frame mix will be best.  The ground floor is almost 2 storeys high on the river side of the property and single storey by King Street.  The river side incorporates canoe storage, with three bedrooms over that storage, passageway to those rooms, plant rooms, office and car park.  Water must be able to flow through the canoe storage and into the car park and back with as little interference as possible, if and when flooding occurs.  Any foundation work must not affect the river frontage of the site.

Hostel Building 1st Floor and Above
We are open to suggestions for this section of the building and are currently considering a number of timber frame options and a steel frame option.  We are also open to suggestions for the infilling, with hemp, lambswool and other options being quoted for.  Regardless of the finish we choose for the external walls,  the external finish must correspond to the plans agreed with planning, which are a mixture of timber and lime render.  The internal walls need to stand up to the rigors of public use and we are looking for sustainable options.  The roof will be an industrial roof, incorporating PV and solar panels.  All rooms and public areas will be underfloor heated.

Reception Building
The reception building will be the last stage of the building process.  We would like that building to be a real talking point and something very unique.  Rammed earth, earth blocks or cob style building really interest us, we are also considering timber frame options.  The idea is to create a really interesting entrance to the site, an excellent reception and visitor information centre, while offering a view to the river from King Street through the glass on both sides of the building.  The roof will be a living roof.

Plumbing
Naturally plumbing needs to be water saving and energy efficient, with low flush toilets and showers, insulation for all hot and cold water runs to keep temperatures constant.  Like the rest of the building, we want an industrial feel, hard wearing to last use by customers, but simple to use with little or no instruction.

Heating
The building will be heated by underfloor heating, with each room being temperature controlled.  Discussions with the Conservation Officer will need to take place regarding heating in the old pub building (real ale shop & flat).  We originally had thought about boilers for each floor of the new building, however various people have suggested that a larger plant room on the ground floor with a series of boilers would be better.  We are looking for quotations for this as well, maybe this is something you are interested in.  Don’t worry about the plant room sizes on the plans, these are flexible.  Plant rooms sizes are not set in stone and can be altered to fit necessary plant.

Electrics
We feel it makes most sense for one contractor to carry out the fire system, lighting and general electrics.  The fire system is vital to make the building safe for customers.  The general electrics are relatively straight forward, with a 13 amp system and a bed light 5 amp system.  Wifi will be available in some public areas of the building, but not throughout.  We are open to suggestions for lighting options, low energy is the minimum, but we will consider LED lighting.  Some outdoor lighting will be required for H&S and ambience.  We need to consider CCTV options.  Key card/electronic lock system will be required.

Renewables
We definitely want to install Solar Water Heating and PV, however we will consider any renewables that people want to suggest.

The PV and Solar will share the South East and South West roofs of the main warehouse/accommodation building and part of the rebuilt boat house.  We think we could happily house upto 150m² of PV and 77m² of Solar Thermal.  The roof areas are as following sizes:

South East (parallel to bridge) 34m x 4m deep, angle of 34 degrees
South West (parallel to King St) 15m x 5m deep, angle of 34 degrees
Boat House 16m x 5m, angle of 23 degrees (Part of this roof may be affected by the new tree)

Ground Source Heat pump is a possibility, with a slinky in the river or in the piling.  Any renewables have to be cost effective and although we will consider experimental technologies, we would only consider these if the supplying/installing company provided support to meeting building regulations.

Landscaping and Planting
There is landscaping and planting required around the site, when the building is complete. This will include the courtyard, entrance and possibly the triangle of grass at the front of the site beside the bridge and King Street.  We would like to include trees, shrubs and colour.

Full copies of the plans agreed with planning can be downloaded from our website

Other questions about the build should be sent to Jason Borthwick, Tel: 07776 254019 or Email: jason@norwichbackpackers.co.uk