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| EPIC building wins national British Council for Offices award  The environmentally-friendly Eliot Park Innovation Centre (EPIC) in Nuneaton has scooped both a national and regional British Council for Offices (BCO) award for best commercial workplace. EPIC was conceived by Warwickshire County Council and designed by architects SMC Corstorphine & Wright to support the modernisation and growth of the local economy and offers flexible 'incubator' space to SMEs – particularly knowledge-based companies. Built on a derelict site, EPIC has set new standards of design quality both to attract occupants and improve the built environment.EPIC advertises its green credentials to create drama and to demonstrate its sustainable approach by featuring a major photovoltaic energy system and panels which run across the main roof of the building and the full width of the south façade. EPIC achieved a BREEAM rating 'excellent' and is highly efficient in its handling of energy and waste. The energy generated by the building powers the equivalent of 10,000 energy efficient light bulbs or 700 PC's per annum, removing 43,000kg of carbon dioxide which would otherwise have been generated by fossil fuels. The foundations of the building were created using recycled North Sea oil pipes. Other environmentally sound design features include photo electric sensors and presence detectors that automatically adjust lighting levels according to occupancy and the natural level of daylight. The overall design and orientation of the building also contributes to EPIC's highly efficient handling of energy and waste. The annual BCO awards honour the very best in office space throughout the country and provide public recognition for top quality design and functionality and a benchmark for excellence in workplaces. EPIC was the joint national winner in the commercial workplace category (above 20,000 sq ft). It was also winner of the commercial workplace category in the Midlands and East Anglia region. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Construction News :: home page |