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| New low energy headquarters  Expanding multi-utility connection specialist, Crown Energy, has started work on its new headquarters building. Low energy use and minimal environmental impact are key objectives behind the 924 square metre building. Housing up to 90 specialised staff, the HQ will be located on a semi-naturalised site of 0.94 hectare. Keeley Naismith, who leads Crown Energy, is project managing the build. She explained, "Our sister company, Crown Oil, pioneered carbon offset diesel for construction site vehicles and plant. As an energy business, supplying oil, reselling electricity and gas services and providing utility connections, we take our environmental responsibilities seriously. The predicted CO2 emissions rate for this building, calculated in accordance with Building Regulations, is lower than the target rate for a similar new building."Insulation values of the new building will exceed current building regulations with the upper floors and roof clad in high efficiency composite panels. Tinted anti-glare and low emissivity glazing will be fitted throughout while the south elevation will have minimal glazing to reduce solar heat gain. Heat recovery from ventilation exhaust will return energy to the building. An advanced computerised building management system will control all heating and cooling services. "A high quality working environment is essential," explained managing director Matthew Greensmith. "The building will have good natural daylight with a central atrium to illuminate the core. Low energy lighting throughout will supplement natural light. A semi open plan layout gives a flexible office space to create the best conditions for effective team working." The development is taking place on a brown field site described by the architect, Tony Steele of Campbell Driver Partnership, as 'challenging'. In addition to a partly filled mill lodge and remnants of a former railway line, the site had steep banks in need of re-grading for stabilization. Piling was required before building commenced because of the soft landfill to the former lodge. Essential landscaping work around the building and a new access road will complete the HQ. The remainder of the site, which has been colonised by wild plant species, will be left in a natural state to preserve its bio-diversity. Respecting the sites railway heritage part of an old wrought iron railway bridge will be retained as a feature and repositioned. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Construction News :: home page |