Red Kite House - Office of the Future

A group of SBEC members gained a unique insight in what it could mean to work more sustainably when the Environment Agency opened its doors to SBEC for a site visit. Completed in 2005, Red Kite House in Wallingford incorporates a number of environmental features and has been described as a shining example of sustainability.

The building’s only air conditioning unit is in the server room with natural ventilation provided throughout all office space. A key consideration in the design was the orientation of the building so that the air circulates naturally as it captures the wind through its curved shape and orientation. This maximises the airflow and supports the cooling processes. High-level exposed concrete ceilings on each floor act as a heat sink during the day. They are cooled by air entering through 100 motorised windows on each floor (which open and close automatically). In addition roof-mounted turbines draw air in through the top floor windows to reduce overheating in the summer.

Solar control glass minimises solar heat gain in the summer whilst maximising natural daylight and the south-facing canopy provides. A stricking array of photo-voltaic cells on the south-facing canopy generate electricity and reduce the building’s carbon dioxide emissions by about 12 tonnes per year. Solar thermal panels installed on the roof provide hot water and further reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 1.6 tonnes per year. A rainwater harvesting system collects rainwater from the roof. The water is held below ground in an 8,000-litre tank before being pumped through filters and used to flush the toilets. Tank overspill is directed into a nearby reed bed and pervious blocks in the car park allow rainwater to soak into the ground. There is a geotextile membrane here to trap any oils or other pollutants.

Red Kite House has demonstrated that for very small increases in the base-build costs, important contributions can be made to reducing carbon emissions and the pressure on limited natural resources.

Mean Green Machines Showcase

A range of exciting new green cars were on display at a recent meeting of the Slough Business Environment Club. Delegates at the half-day event held at SEGRO were also treated to a comprehensive presentation by the Energy Saving Trust’s fleet consultant on all aspects of management of cars in a business.

The advice on offer ranged from environmental and policy background, including planned government measures, hints on links in taxation of company cars and employees, and guidance on how to get the best out of vehicles used in a business by reducing their environmental impact. It even included advice on ‘grey fleets’; cars owned by employees but used for business purposes. Businesses also benefited from information on freely available support, including full fleet reviews by qualified consultants.

Presentations about technical innovations of each of the cars on display inspired many in the audience to take a closer look at what’s on offer in this fast developing market. Nice Cars presented the health case for electric vehicles in London - hard to beat with a staggeringly low cost of
2 p per mile.

Fiat introduced its newest invention – eco:Drive – which records in car driving behaviour on a standard USB stick. The data can then be analysed through Fiat’s free software that suggests actions for improved driver performance. Honda and Toyota presented their spacious and elegant hybrid models that deliver high fuel efficiency, performance and comfort.

BlueEfficiency, a very wide selection of green automotive technologies launched earlier this year by Mercedes Benz will be available as an option for every single Mercedes car. The BlueEfficiency package delivers a significant jump in fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. Mercedes also presented its flagship Smart car with its rigid "safety cell" frame, antilock brakes, side and knee air bags, and intelligent seatbelts that sense motion changes.

Businesses then had the chance to see the cars close up and to get the real feel for the variety of green car choices of the future.

CELEBRATING ENVIRONMENTAL SUCCESS
Members of the Slough Business Environment Club had every reason to celebrate their success at an Awards Breakfast held recently at Stoke Place near Slough. With much larger than expected environmental and cost savings, each company received an award for their participation in the Resource Efficiency Action Programme (REAP).

REAP, a 2-year environmental improvement programme for companies in Slough, managed by the Slough Business Environment Club, aimed to enhance participant's skills to manage environmental resources and to identify opportunities for cost savings from environmental good practice.

Government funded by Envirowise, REAP offered resource efficiency site visits that identify cost savings, analysis of environmental performance with training opportunities and support to achieve environmental aims and demonstrate a company's sustainability and commitment.

Representatives from seventeen local companies were on hand to receive awards for their achievements, and to hear REAP Manager, Marylene Mansfield-Williams, provide details of the impressive achievements of the project as a whole.

During the two years of the project, the companies involved had achieved savings of 1.7 million kWh of energy, 480 tonnes of CO₂, 9100 m³ of water, and 90 tonnes of waste. The environmental savings weren’t the only benefit. There were also cost savings of      £171,400 with a further £501,300 of potential savings identified, proving that it pays to think green.

The second presentation of the morning was from Neil Impiazzi, Leasing Manager of Slough Estates Group (SEGRO). Neil praised the attendees for their achievements, and then outlined the key areas where SEGRO are planning to improve their environmental performance over the coming years.

The companies that have been involved in REAP have learned invaluable lessons over the past two years, and are committed to continuous improvement in the future. The experience of the project will also continue to benefit other members of the Slough Business Environment Club through the Club’s ongoing events programme.
Text by Andrew Sansom of Andrew Sansom Photography www.andrewsansom.com.

REDUCE COSTS, SAVE RESOURCES NOW !
Is your company on track to save 20% on energy consumption, 20% on water use and 50% on waste generation? If not then you are missing out on making your business more sustainable - both environmentally and economically. Current members of the Slough Business Environment Club are benefiting already from taking an active approach to managing and reducing their impact on the environment. Click on the links to see some examples of what they are doing:

SEGRO (Slough Estates Group)
O2
Kinnarps
Yell

They also look to the future and are making plans to do even better. Your business too can take an active approach to environmental improvement and contribute to creating a more sustainable environment that will allow your business to prosper.

Slough Business Environment Club can assist you to start this process and this year we can offer free membership and support to companies who would like to do better. Contact us at info@sbec.uk.net to arrange an initial visit or find out more how we could help.

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