ABD and Sustainability

We are delighted that our building for AB Dynamics has been highly commended for the 2021 Construction Excellence South West Sustainability Award.

The building is home to the design, manufacture and demonstration of professional driving simulators used by motor teams all over the world to safely test new systems and train drivers off the track.

AB Dynamics’ brief was clear from the outset.  They were seeking a high-quality working environment that was low in operational energy use.  In this blog post we reflect on how we achieved a building with 50% less regulated carbon emissions than the current requirements in Part L2A 2013.

Passive Design

The shape of the building is designed to take advantage of the climate, using the natural movement of heat and light to keep internal conditions comfortable.

The building’s orientation was chosen to both maximise the use of the site for our client’s needs and allow optimum use of the sun

Heat

Careful study of each elevation and the angles of the sun in each season enabled us to make sure that the winter sun, which is low in the sky, can shine into the building providing useful solar gains. Horizontal shading fins were introduced to shield the building from the summer sun, which is higher in the sky, protecting the building from overheating and reducing the amount of energy required to cool it down.

Different types of glass were also introduced to the windows, depending on orientation, to intelligently limit solar gains but maximise natural daylight.

Light

By providing a sawtooth profile roof, we achieved both a south facing roof space ideal for photovoltaics and vertical north facing windows.

The north facing windows provide consistent natural light, which is ideal for the high-quality office-studio environment our client required. 

Energy Efficient Measures

In addition to the need for a building that is low energy in use, we also designed for longevity and robustness, both in system design and product specification.  We integrated high efficiency systems to the building’s heating, cooling and ventilation strategies.

The client’s business requires a large manufacturing space which means the building needs a deep floor plan.  Consequently a mechanical ventilation system is required to provide fresh air to the middle of the building.

The building also benefits from a highly efficient heat recovery system that collects the heat from air on its way out of the building and recycles it, reducing the heating demand and ensuring that heat generated to warm the building isn’t lost through extracted air.

Through thermal modelling of the building, the stair cores were identified as the hottest spaces.  To avoid using energy to cool these transitional spaces we designed a natural ventilation system of roof stacks, drawing air through the building and ensuring that in the summer heat can escape and prevent internal thermal discomfort. 

In addition we designed the envelope of the building to perform over and above the requirements set out in AD Part L2A, increasing the airtightness performance and the insulation to minimise heat loss through the building fabric.

Low Carbon Technology

After first reducing the energy demands of the building through the passive design and energy efficient measures, we then incorporated photovoltaic cells on the south facing sloping areas of the roof, maximising their efficiency and energy generation on the site

The PV array provides enough energy to run all the in-use building systems. In our as-built energy review, we measured the building performance and achieved:

• The highest EPC Rating of A .

• A reduction of 50% less than the Part L2A 2013 target regulated carbon emissions in the final as-built assessment.

• The final as-built regulated carbon emissions were calculated as being 10.1 kgCO2/m2, which is 4% less than the as designed regulated carbon emissions of 10.5 kgCO2/m2.

The building envelope achieved an airtightness test result of 3.9m³/h/m² @ 50pa.

Social Value & Wellbeing

The building is located at the top of a hill and benefits from fantastic views across the Wiltshire countryside.  It has a strong physical and visual connection to outside spaces and multiple opportunities to enjoy these views throughout the building, with feature glazing at first floor orientated towards the landscape and surrounding vistas, and away from the neighbouring properties. The spaces surrounding the building express the identity of the company and ensure that the whole development feels cohesive in its placemaking.

The building promotes social interaction by providing internal and external spaces for people to gather away from their desks.  

The client also promotes sustainable travel for all staff.  The site is located very close to the local bus route, is within walking distance to the train station and electric vehicle charging provision is provided on site. Inside the building we have provided high quality and accessible facilities for staff and visitors who have walked, run or cycled  to work. 

With strong design team collaboration from the outset, and a clear ambition and set of aspirations from the client, we were able to incorporate many energy saving principles into the design. This approach goes to the heart of how we work, working alongside AB Dynamics to deliver a building that enables their continued growth and one which we are proud to put our name to. We are now reviewing our successes and reflecting on how we can do even better next time.

Back to the Office

It’s been an interesting 18 months, everyone’s lockdown experiences have been different and at times it’s been challenging, but with an end to lockdown looming we have been asking ourselves what should the future look like for our staff, our office and our business?

 Where do we start? Who should be involved? And how do we make sure we achieve the right balance moving forward? There are so many questions and a diverse range of viewpoints to consider.

Back in March we set up a remote working focus group, to work through these questions and set a plan for the next steps.

Ahead of our implementation of the trial of our new hybrid remote working plan, we reflect on these discussions and ask our staff members for their thoughts on lockdown, remote working and coming back to the office.

‘As a new member of the SRA team joining during the pandemic, I’m really looking forward to spending more time in the office. I’ve found that remote working has challenged my ability to quickly ask someone a question, overhear office conversations, learn how the practice is managed or experience the variety of projects that others are working on. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in person and not through a screen soon!’

Max, Part 1 Architectural Assistant

---

‘As a practice, we place a great deal of importance on the health and wellbeing of our team and they are our key consideration when planning change. Our experience over the last 18 months has demonstrated the positive impact remote working can have on work/life balance and we are keen to embrace the opportunities for everyone’s benefit.

We are of course mindful that any long-term change needs to be sustainable and positively impact on the wider practice as well. Teamwork, collaboration, and responsiveness are some of the business needs that we seek to foster.  As a creative profession, we need to be dynamic in our application of remote working. By doing this, we aim to balance the benefits to individuals with that of the wider practice, to ensure that we continue to service our client base in the best possible way.’

Mike, Partner

‘I spent most of the pandemic on maternity leave, by the time I returned to work SRA had adopted an agile working policy for our new office. With new laptops, hot desks, clean desk policy, personal storage in the office as well as ensuring everyone had a good remote set-up, it was quite easy to just set up at home. SRA have also introduced opportunities for regular contact to support us with isolation with office catch-ups, digital ‘elevenses’ to have a cup of tea with colleagues and virtual Friday drinks

With small kids, juggling nursery runs and all the other commitments that comes with a young family, working remotely has had huge advantages. The flip-side however has been the challenges in collaborative working or working solo on a project.

Team based work and especially for junior colleagues, is where most of us have found it challenging. I think the other risk, is the danger of being always ‘on’ – the quick check of emails in the evening, an hour here and there – and we have to be careful to keep the balance and flexibility just right.

I know that I get A LOT done at home when I’m not distracted by chat going on but I am looking forward to my office days when I can get involved in design reviews of other projects, shared lunches, ‘proper’ teamwork. And I’ll even enjoy the headspace that my commute gives me – creating that separation between work and home.’

Suzanne, Architect

‘Like most, we had to adapt fast to remote working. We didn’t have a home working policy or access to remote working prior to the pandemic and it’s been challenging to implement it in such a short space of time and amongst so many unknowns.

What has been vital during this time is communication, internally and externally. Keeping our staff and our clients updated has been crucial.

Moving forwards, it will be great to see the buzz of the office and to work amongst the creative flare. I’m looking forward to having a busy office; and having to remember to refill the coffee pot! It will be good for the wellbeing of staff and to bring back some office banter.

I encourage everyone to find what works for you while you must, do what you can with what you’ve got, and help others do the same.’

Emma, Office Manager

---

‘Whereas it was a shock at first, I enjoyed the balance that WFH brought to my life. It allowed more time with my family, as I was there, whilst technology enabled good communication with work colleagues/clients. The work environment is essential for productive and efficient working, which cannot be replaced with isolated working. But this pandemic has proved to me, a more balanced approach can bring bigger rewards both at home and at work.’

Tony, Associate