Simpson (York) Ltd has green fit-out
One of the UK’s largest fit-out and construction
companies is giving itself a ‘green-make-over’, with a
move to new energy-efficient head quarters in York.
The 14,500 sq ft head office building will become home
to Simpson next Spring, and is one of four buildings
currently being developed at the Chessingham Park,
Dunnington site, near York.
Christopher Rodgers’ architectural and project
management team designed the building for ISO14001
environmentally accredited Simpson, which incorporates
photovoltaic (solar) panels, a biomass boiler (using
waste timber, previously destined for landfill, as
fuel), rainwater harvesting, water conservation fittings
and energy saving appliances.
Ron Gatenby from Simpson, comments: “We regularly
fit-out and construct energy-efficient buildings for our
clients, so we felt it important that our own working
environment reflected the same values. Our new office
will feature the very latest in energy-efficient
initiatives and serve as a valuable way to achieve our
own corporate commitment to reducing carbon emissions.”
John Riley, architect from Christopher Rodgers comments:
“In total the proposed renewable and sustainable energy
systems are expected to save 75 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Some schemes have come under criticism for including
token green gestures but we’ve worked closely with
Simpson to find innovative techniques and materials to
minimise whole life costs and ensure this really is
sustainable.”
As well as moving into the largest of the four units,
Simpson is also the developer for the scheme. Work
involves major extension and alteration work to three
existing business units, stripping the buildings back to
their steel frames and transforming them into a mix of
B1 business units B2/B8 industrial units. Simpson will
occupy the largest of these three buildings. Five B1
business units will also be housed in the fourth, new
building. Simpson has committed to achieving a BREEAM
‘excellent' rating for their head office.
Foundations, floor slabs and steel frames from the three
existing buildings are being reused and will account for
90 per cent of the proposed building footprint. Material
selection will tend toward self-finished surfaces that
require minimal future maintenance and disposal. The
building will also incorporate insulation in the
building envelope to achieve average U value levels, at
least ten per cent better than those required under Part
L of the Building Regulations.
The Simpson team will apply for grant funding, via the
DTI’s Low Carbon Buildings Programme, but plans are to
proceed with the full range of sustainable measures even
if funding isn’t awarded.
Email:
Strother@paversmith.co.uk
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
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