ECSAT: space for sustainability
The new ECSAT Roy Gibson building has been designed to be highly sustainable, high performing, optimising energy use for maximum efficiency and taking into account comfort levels for the staff who are due to take up residence in the new offices.
It is a very European building, based on a German design, adapted by British architects Wilson Mason and built by Bouygues UK, the UK arm of the French constructors Bouygues.
The development incorporates a total of 32 deep ground source boreholes that are 121 metres deep. The boreholes are arranged in an array, linked to 3 heat exchanger units. The array is used to both heat and cool the building. An innovative micro bore system is used to regulate the office spaces throughout ECSAT. The system consists of 6mm plastic pipes arranged in mats fixed to the soffits and then gypsum plastered to the office areas. The office temperatures are regulated using zonal controls.
The external windows incorporate low E (low emissivity) glass; the offices are protected from direct solar effects by the external venetian blinds operated centrally from a sun sensor on the roof of the building. The latter ensures the building spaces do not overheat. If the windows are opened, the mechanical air supply system is automatically shut off and it restarts automatically if the window is closed. This means that there is an element of automatic control which will deliver an element of energy savings but that staff will still be able to open windows for natural ventilation.
A green vegetative roof has been installed on the conference wing, which also has high performance facades. Again, solar shading is used to mitigate the effects of the sun on the south facing facades and internal spaces. The concrete frame is in the main only plastered; so the full thermal mass of the building frame is used as part of the energy system.
Within the building all the lighting is LED and highly efficient, as well as intelligently controlled.
Taken together, this will minimise the impact on the surrounding environment and result in lower operating costs throughout the life cycle of the five-storey building.
BREEAM is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method for buildings and large scale developments. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design and has become the de facto measure used to describe environmental performance of buildings and communities.
The project is on track to achieve the rating of BREEAM Excellent.
