Solais House

The Theory

NG Bailey demonstrated its commitment to sustainability through the construction of Solais House, a new Central Scotland Headquarters at Strathclyde Business Park.

Our approach has been to put the words, theories and concepts of sustainability into practice, learning from the successes and difficulties we have encountered while transforming a standard plan office design into a building designed to achieve an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating and an ‘A’ rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Our aim was to create an office with one of the lowest environmental impacts in the country, and a model for what can be achieved with an integrated and innovative approach. From the detail design stages, every element of the building was carefully considered, and sustainable solutions incorporated wherever appropriate – from sun pipes to photovoltaic glass. As a result, as well as delivering substantial environmental benefits, the technologies used would significantly reduce the building’s running costs.

The Practice

A ground source heat pump provides all the building’s heating requirements without the need for a boiler, as well as ‘free cooling’ using underground water passing through a heat exchanger. Most of the domestic hot water is generated through solar thermal heating, while sun pipes light many of the internal spaces.

Large open plan areas, a substantial light well, and individual blind control mean that maximum daylight use is linked to occupancy, while the latest LED, high frequency fluorescent lamps and lighting control systems have also been incorporated. In addition, photovoltaic (PV) glazing provides shade for the southfacing entrance, and at the same time generates around 5kW of power. Passive cooling is also provided through phase change material (PCM). Water consumption is reduced through rainwater harvesting, waterless urinals and infrared sensor taps.

With its Intelligent Building Management System (IBMS), designed to allow increased functionality at less cost and reduced energy output, Solais House shows how a range of sustainable technologies and approaches can be successfully tailored and integrated without compromising building design, and in a way that’s sympathetic to its location. It’s also a project that provides a unique perspective, putting us in the position of both contractor and client, and giving us a clearer understanding of what building owners and occupiers need from a truly sustainable building.

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Project Details

Client 

NG Bailey

Contract Value 

£4.5m

Main Contractor 

Dawn Construction

Building Services and Systems Provider 

NG Bailey

Architect 

Cooper Cromar

Outcome and Added Value

Solais House now has firmly established green credentials, through an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating and an ‘A’ rated energy performance certificate. It is predicted that the building will produce 13.3kg CO², m², per annum against a like-for-like benchmark of 41kg CO², m², per annum.