Meg Sandford: Mechanical Director
Profession:
Chartered Building Services Engineer
Qualifications:
MSc in Building Services Engineering
Professional Associations:
Member of Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers
Meg joined RPA Ltd in 1994, having worked for another consultancy and Cambridge University's Estate Management division. At the time she was studying for her BSc honours degree in Building Services at Hertfordshire University which she completed successfully under RPA Ltd sponsorship in 1997.
Meg enjoys an excellent reputation for providing sound engineering solutions and has extensive experience in a wide range of projects with particular knowledge of College projects in Cambridge. She has a good understanding of integration of engineering and building, and works extremely well as a team member with architects and structural engineers.
In 2003 Meg successfully completed an MSc at Brunell University with her final thesis on air quality based ventilation solutions for lecture theatres and similar education or performance spaces.
Meg's role as Director at RPA Ltd is principally in project engineering but she has special responsibility at St John's College with whom RPA Ltd have a working relationship going back to 1992. Meg has also worked on many projects at Queens' College and Newnham College, Cambridge.
Meg is an efficient, effective and diligent worker who is a strong team member. A selection of the projects in which she has played a key design role are listed here.
St John's College, Cambridge:
Having completed work on the 1930's Maufe Building, the recently Grade II listed Cripps Building with accommodation for 199 students and fellows is now undergoing its first major refurbishment since construction in the 1960s. With the College undertaking construction works in this £20m project, RPA Ltd are working closely with them to provide fully detailed co-ordination drawings. Replacement of the College's main boiler house and revisions to electric, IT and security infrastructure are integral parts of the project. The project incorporates an extensive solar thermal installation.
Cambridge University Library:
RPA Ltd were appointed in 1995 to prepare designs for the £3m Aoi Pavillion and have worked continuously on six phases of redevelopment of this Grade II listed Gilbert Scott building since then. The final phase was completed in 2010. All phases have been successfully handed over on time and within budget. Part of the final phase was to incorporate photovoltaic arrays in the form of sculptured 'trees'.
Queens' College, Cambridge:
Meg has been project engineer for all RPA Ltd 's Queens' College projects since the 1990s, these range from the Grade I listed Masters Lodge and Old Hall to the mroe recent Cripps Building where a fourth floor of accommodation has been added.
Newnham College, Cambridge:
Newnham College's kitchen and dining facility was renewed in 2004. Integration of kitchen services into linked college accommodation provided a particular challenge. The success of the project has led to RPA Ltd 's appoinment in a facilities management role to assist the college in providing building maintenance and building development strategies over the short, medium and long term.