The Brief: The office is the operational centre for Severn Trent Water. It was commissioned as a key part of their reorganisation strategy and as a means of introducing new methods of working to bring efficiencies and better customer care. The brief was radically different – to deliver a corporate HQ building which had very low carbon emissions, but which was flexible and adaptable.
The Engineering Difference: This was achieved through the detailed integration of the Architecture with the Engineering Services – the building envelope was computer modelled and engineered to minimise heat loss and heat gain. This required the use of a concrete frame, high levels of insulation, low air permeability, high quality solar glass, moving brise soleil and fixed shading.
The internal engineering system comprised a floor supply displacement ventilation system providing variable air volume, variable air temperature air supply, perimeter heating and localised cooling for meeting areas.
Biomass boiler plant, Photo-voltaic cell arrays and solar thermal hot water panels were installed to contribute to reduced carbon emissions.
In order to minimise energy use again and to encourage the occupiers to feel more comfortable in the building, Adaptive Comfort criteria were adopted for the operation of the HVAC systems and the culture of work within the building is one of flexible working patterns, no fixed desk position and the ability to move around the building to different breakout areas whenever desired.
Key Aspects:
- Highly engineered building envelope
- Adaptive Comfort model
- Heat recovery ventilation
- Adiabatic cooling
- Biomass boilers
- PV arrays
- Solar thermal collectors
- EPC of ‘B’ (nearly ‘A’)
- BREEAM Excellent
Value: £50m approx
Duties: ACE Schedule of Performance Duties RIBA stages A to L.