Award winning 3 year multi million pound project reaches completion
The wait has finally come to an end after 3 years of intensive design and development, for Citu to announce the completion of it's pioneering low carbon development. Created out of a 1930's workers lodge in Yorkshire, Greenhouse now launches as the UK's Greenest High-Tech homes and offices.
With CEDIA* and Estates Gazette** awards already under its belt, Citu's official unveiling of Greenhouse took place on the 1st and 2nd October 2010, as the team celebrated having excelled its initial expectations for the project and unveild how the part refurb, part new build development has capitalised on technology and harnessed natural resources, to produce a true homage to working with the environment.
Architects, designers and contractors have all worked closely together over the project's lifespan, challenging traditional building processes and cultures and pioneering new methods to ensure each decision made is with reference to the sustainability commitment made by Citu.
A behind the scenes tour on launch days, highlighted the ethos behind the development of creating clean energy to support everyday working and living and will reveal some of the techniques and sustainable materials used throughout.
Sustainable technologies working in harmony, for energy generation, conservation and monitoring:
- Ground Source – An open-loop borehole and ground source heat pump system is connected to a VRF heat distribution system and distributes space heating and cooling to the building, sharing between homes and offices, producing 612,083kWh/yr.
- Solar Thermal Panels – 212 msq of solar panels are mounted on the roof and pre-heat the district hot water system producing 64,068kWh/yr
- Wind Turbines – Two roof-top turbines generating between 17,000-24,000kWh/yr electricity provide lighting for communal lights and lifts
- Rain and Grey Water Recycling – Provides water for washing machines and toilets saving 3 Olympic swimming pools of water a year
- Energy Conservation - Over 75% dedicated low energy light fittings and use of A and A+ rated appliances helps to achieve the energy efficiency rating of 93 and with each home saving over 1 tonne of CO2 per year this holds CO2 emissions at 65% less than the current Part L 2006 building regulation requirements. For residents this means on average 60% cheaper energy bills, than an average new build home.
- Energy Monitoring – A bespoke system monitors energy usage of each home and office, and enables residents to view live information through their IPTV, demonstrating in kwh and in £ and pence, the actual amount of energy, water, and heat consumption being used, making it a tangible resource.
Citu is a member of the UK Green Building Council and has contributed to consultations on zero carbon. Issues overcome and lessons learnt at Greenhouse will be fed back to assist the construction industry to overcome the challenges posed by providing low carbon developments.
Building a Community
With additional facilities such as the free onsite gym, onsite deli, shared courtyard, community car clubs, transport information direct to resident's TVs and shared allotments, Greenhouse makes it easy for residents to reduce their carbon footprint. Created to be accessible to everyone from first time buyers, to city workers, to families, to SMEs to sole-traders, Greenhouse is comprised of 172 studio, one, two and three bedroom homes.
The Building's Transformation
The original 1930's 6 storey building, Shaftsbury House, was earmarked for demolition when Citu registered interest in the site. Part of the modernist era, the construction methods used for Shaftsbury House had been revolutionary at the time, providing a great platform for Citu to build upon.
Blending old with new, Citu has enhanced existing features and built on the solid foundations already in place, as well as paying homage to the building's original art deco style. Two further stories of accommodation have been added; a new build central accommodation core was inserted into the centre of the building to form a peaceful courtyard; and features such as brick walls, window openings and concrete cills have been left exposed within the new corridor areas, in recognition of the building's heritage.
Craig Bolton, from West and Machell Architects said: “The building strategy was carefully considered in a number of areas to create a building with a exemplar performance. These areas included: Energy and Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Materials, Waste, Water, Health and Wellbeing, Surfce Water Run Off, Management Pollution and Ecology. Our Green Principles included our belief in the phrase “Build Tight, Insulate Right”. The strong green credentials behind the project have encouraged a new sustainable community, within a disused building and we look forward to seeing how it develops”.
Simon North, from Sturgeon North Architects said: "As client side architects throughout the construction period we were heavily involved in directing the design to ensure it was consistent with the Citu ethos and remained true to the spirit of the existing building. The challenges of working on a extension and refurbishment project of this complexity, coupled with existing planning constraints and the need to maximise budgets led to us concentrate on enhancing key areas, namely the roof, courtyard, entrance and foyer.”
He added: “Our focus was to simplify some of the original concepts o maintain a consistent architectural language with a limited palette of materials, which were sympathetic to the clean lines and form of the original building. Accessibility and movement through the building had to be clearly legible, with the courtyard forming the heart of this mixed use development. Overall, we believe the design of Greenhouse represents a clear, visual architectural statement for re-generation."
Citu's Commitment
Fraser Stride, Marketing Director at Citu, said: “With a bit of creativity, a lot of effort and vision, we've proved that it's now possible to create homes and offices of tomorrow, today. Our goal is to build permanence through design and sustainability, creating places which will flourish long into the future.”
Chris Thompson of Citu added: “Our techniques meant this has not been the cheapest way to build, but it's not all about profit for us. Sustainability has been designed into Greenhouse, from the ground up. It's not a bolt on or afterthought, it's green blood flowing through the building, and we're very proud of what it's achieved.”
“It's the blend of technology and use of natural resources that makes this development really work. A huge challenge was to reduce energy consumption but increase the standard of living – and this made it a very exciting project”
