All community buildings that are developed by EDC should aim to deliver the following design requirements;

1. Design and Layout

1.1.    Buildings should aim to set a benchmark or example of best practice for other projects in the Garden City including through achieving value for money  within available resources.

1.2.    All buildings should employ an Architect, and an inclusive design consultant throughout the process, and a Landscape Architect (where public realm and/or landscape is provided)

1.3.    Landscape design should comply with Ebbsfleet Public Realm Strategy as appropriate.

1.4.   Buildings narratives should respond to the ‘Design for Ebbsfleet’ guidance.

1.5.    Proposals should be in line with EDC’s Implementation Framework and the ‘Space in the Place’ report

2. Accessibility and Inclusivity

2.1.    Full mobility access to all public areas and provide legible and generous circulation to all areas to ensure all buildings are usable by all future residents

2.2.    Buildings should meet the London Legacy Development Corporation Inclusive Design Standards (S.4 – Public Buildings).

2.3.    Buildings should include dementia design principles when appropriate

2.4.    Priority should be given to use by pedestrians and cyclists above cars

2.5.    Adequate disabled parking with clear unimpeded route to building

2.6.    W.C’s and changing facilities should be to ‘Changing Places’ standards and be available for public use.

3. Co-location,  Cost in use and Affordability

3.1.    All buildings should contribute to the principle of a sustainable portfolio of assets across Ebbsfleet Garden City .

3.2.   A management strategy for the building should be agreed before stage 3 of project process including identifying potential users, operators or tenants

3.3.    Buildings should be designed to promote opportunities for co-location of facilities and uses in order to maximise potential income and long-term sustainability.

3.4.    Use of facilities in the building should be pitched to be affordable to the majority of Ebbsfleet Garden City residents

3.5.    Primary spaces should be well proportioned and include generous storage and spaces should be sub-dividable when appropriate to serve multiple uses and users.

3.6.    Technology should be integrated into building to future proof as far as possible

3.7.    Kitchens should be commercial grade and well-designed to maximise usability for events.

4. Environmental performance

4.1.    Buildings should reflect and contribute positively toward EDC’s ambition to be carbon neutral.

4.2.    Buildings to aim to meet BREEAM New Construction 2018 ‘Outstanding’ with a minimum rating of ‘excellent’ acceptable only when a higher rating does not offer value for money

4.3.    Use BREEAM for ‘assembly and leisure’ or a bespoke process as appropriate.

4.4.    Maximise natural daylighting  and ventilation to all primary spaces, whilst designing to avoid overheating and excessive noise transmission.

4.5.    Provision of an electric vehicle car charging spaces appropriate to the scale of building

4.6.    Robust materials that weather and wear well and that are environmentally friendly and that reduce long-term cost in use.

5. Safety

5.1.    Buildings should be Secured by Design compliant, including entrances and primary spaces with good levels of surveillance

5.2.    Building should include a sprinkler system to both improve safety and maximise the flexibility in use

5.3.   Adequate and secure space for parking cycles, prams and mobility scooters near entrances

6. Co-Design

6.1.   A minimum of 2 engagement sessions with local residents to test building concepts as they emerge

o    Stage 1:  Agree brief and ambition for project with local residents

o    Stage 2 : Agree concept proposals are in line with local ambition before detailed design with local residents