Providing an environmentally conscious workspace for our clients.
Groundwork's Philosophy
The Greenhouse is a Groundwork owned business. Groundwork is a charity which believes that working with local communities to build their resilience is vital in facing up to the challenges of a globalised economy and a changing climate.
We know that the negative effects of climate change and environmental breakdown impact first and worst on those who have the least power in society, and who contribute least to the cause of the crisis. A ‘just transition’ to an inclusive, net-zero economy must tackle, rather than entrench, this inequality and provide a springboard for better work and healthier, happier lives in the places that need it most.
This means creating green jobs that build wealth in local communities, changing behavior to reduce wasted food, energy and water, providing biodiverse, accessible green spaces, supporting businesses to be more responsible and empowering communities to lead activities that improve their quality of life and promote health and wellbeing.
What does this mean for The Greenhouse?
The Greenhouse Business Centre is a perfect example of how sustainable architecture can complement the modern office environment. With its impressive array of sustainability features, The Greenhouse offers a great way for businesses to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing convenience or cost.
Looking forward The Greenhouse aims to increase knowledge of sustainability and biodiversity amongst the community and the tenants throughout the building.
For our tenants, the Greenhouse Business Centre's sustainability features can benefit tenants and businesses by improving public image, as consumers are increasingly environmentally conscious; increasing productivity with the building's natural light, indoor air quality and green spaces having a positive impact on the health and well-being of employees; and provide access to sustainable resources, helping to reduce our tenants carbon footprint and demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices.
Our Green Credentials
These are just some of the ways in which The Greenhouse Business Centre is helping our tenants, and customers reduce their carbon footprint and demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices;
L-Shaped Building
The Greenhouse is L-Shaped to make the most of the sun's light and heat. The orientation of both the building and the lake were also planned to enhance the local area and reflect the aesthetics of the immediate surroundings giving particular consideration to the existing wildlife lake adjacent to the development.
EV Charging Points
The Greenhouse Business Centre offers electric vehicle charging points in its car park. This makes it easier for employees and visitors to use low-carbon transport options and helps to reduce waste and promote circular economy.
Heating the Building
The Greenhouse Business Centre reduces energy consumption with efficient boilers, underfloor heating, and a ground source heat pump. The heat pump uses a slinky system with over 1500m of pipe laid under the pond and car parks, providing heating and cooling to different zones within the building with local control via a room thermostat.
The Power of the Environment
The Greenhouse generates electricity with a 35m high wind turbine, producing 225KW, the main source of electricity for the building; with surplus power sold back to the national grid.
The Danish-built turbine was transported from Cumbria and is re-used at The Greenhouse site. Solar panels on the flat roof area are south-facing, mounted at an angle to maximize thermal yield and transfer heat to the hot water tank.
Natural Air Conditioning
Natural light is harnessed as much as possible and instead of air conditioning a passive ventilation system draws in fresh air from outside. The building utilises a combination of windows and roof mounted chimney terminals all of which integrate within the building.
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Rainwater Recycling System
Rainwater is collected and filtered before being stored in an underground storage tank for recycling in toilets and showers. Presence detection systems minimise water consumption in male WCs. A mains water supply pipe prevents the tank from running dry during dry spells, and excess rainwater overflows into the lake during periods of heavy rainfall.
Other Sustainable Features
The building is constructed from materials that have been reused, recycled or have come from sustainable sources. In addition local labour and suppliers were utilised in the construction of The Greenhouse and are still used for maintenance work, stationary and catering.
Alternative roof covering and cladding panels manufactured from 100% recycled and recyclable aluminium.
Instead of the traditional asphalt, the car parks and roadways are replaced by crete, providing surface drainage and allowing grass to grow through.
The BMS system records data on the contributions and efficiencies of the individual natural elements such as wind, solar and geothermal which are being harnessed by the renewable technologies used in the building to power The Greenhouse.