When building our new Head Office, a critical factor was to ensure that our Company's core environmental values were fully embedded and reflected in all aspects.
With accommodation for 90 people, the, 850m2 timber clad office has been assessed under the BRE Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and is expected to achieve 'BREEAM excellent' status. The building is constructed using a glue laminated timber (glulam) frame.
All the timber used in the build and furniture is Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and sourced from local suppliers. Thermal excellence within the fabric of the building is achieved through the use of high levels of insulation in the foundations, walls and roof. The high degree of air tightness of the building stops cold draughts coming in and heat escaping. The double glazing uses a special spacer bar to improve insulation and reduce heat loss.
The building's 'green' roof features a covering of sedum plants to further benefit the environment through the storage of rain water and proving cooling in the summer in addition to boosting the level of insulation. The low-impact environmental build also made maximum use of local suppliers, and use of natural resources to reduce power consumption through the incorporation of sun pipes for natural lighting, natural ventilation and a sustainable drainage system. Electrical lighting is operated by movement sensors.
Eighty per cent of the fabric of the building is made from A-rated environmental impact standard materials. The site is set within landscaping of locally sourced trees and wild flowers, improving the surrounding habitat's biodiversity. An application for a wind turbine is currently underway, to enable self-sufficiency and promote the use of renewable energy locally.
