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Bicton EaRTH (Environmental and Renewable Technologies Hub)

Development


BREEAM Very Good and Design advise for an exemplar low carbon building.

Problems


– Last minute funding condition for BREEAM Very Good leaving the scheme in danger of being scrapped

– Requirement to convert an existing derelict agricultural building in to a state-of-the-art renewable energy training centre for Bicton College

 – East Devon Planning Conditions to achieve 20% reduction in CO2

-Analyse the design of the building and devise a sustainability strategy for achieving BREEAM ‘Very Good’ without having an impact on the overall budget and construction programme of the build.

– There was only four weeks between being appointed and work beginning on site.

Services


– High level initial consideration of design, materials and basic  plan layout

– Investigation of alternative LZC sources which achieved a less visually intrusive design

– Cost analysis and comparison

– Preliminary Energy Calculations  (SAP 2012 and SBEM)

– Code for Sustainable Homes Pre-assessment 

– BREEAM New Construction pre-assessment

Results

 


The award winning Bicton EaRTH has a wealth of innovative integrated sustainability features that provide an excellent example of how the good use of sustainability can enhance the profile and user experience of a building.

Not only was the building completed on time and on budget but it was also possible to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ despite the tight timescales.

The end result is a highly sustainable building that has features beneficial to all building users and the client.

– Renewable technologies including:

  • Solar Hot Water
  • Solar Photovoltaics
  • Biomass Boiler
  • Air-source Heat Pump
  • Passive Cooling
  • Rainwater Harvesting
  • 90% of materials sourced responsibly
  • Green roof
  • Natural ventilation
  • Reuse of façade and structure
  • Net increase in biodiversity
  • A-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

Project Details


Delivery


May 2012 – July 2013

Client


TFQ Architects

Location


Bicton Agricultural College, Devon

Stakeholders


Bicton College

TFQ Arcitects

Skinner Construction

Devon Couty Council

EastDevon District Council

FURTHER DETAILS

Working very closely with the design team, main contractors and cost consultants, Carbon Green Consulting put together a package of sustainability measures that provided the greatest opportunity for reducing carbon emissions and maximising the sustainable credentials of the proposed building.

Carbon Green took a pragmatic, client-focused approach to integrating the building fabric, the building services and the surrounding landscaping to create a strategy that was both practical and of real benefit to future building users and occupiers.The award winning Bicton EaRTH has a wealth of innovative integrated sustainability features that provide an excellent example of how the good use of sustainability can enhance the profile and user experience of a building.

Not only was the building completed on time and on budget but it was also possible to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ despite the tight timescales. The end result is a highly sustainable building that has features beneficial to all building users and the client.Detailed briefings and constant support for the design team meant that the strategy was adopted, without any negative impact on the budget or the length of the build.

Ready to talk?

If you'd like to talk to us about your project, do get in touch.