Greenhouse, a new development of sustainable offices and homes
in Leeds, is setting the standard for low-impact working and
living. Sustainable building methods have created well-insulated
interiors, which benefit from on-site renewable energy generation.
What's more, occupants are able to quickly and simply access
information about their own energy and water consumption through
their TV screen, using state-of-the-art building control technology
from Priva Building Intelligence Ltd.
Spearheaded by developer Citu Ltd, the £26m project has
transformed a mouldering art-deco hostel inSouth Leedsinto a
distinctive multi-use development. The site now boasts 166
high-spec one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments; facilities
including a gym and deli; and 17,000 sq ft of sustainable office
space set around a landscaped courtyard.
Renewable electricity and heat are provided to the Greenhouse
complex through a combination of ground source heat pumps, wind
turbines and solar thermal roof panels. Water from showers and
basins, plus rain water collected from the roof, is recycled and
used to flush toilets and supply washing machines. Low-energy
lighting and A+ rated white goods come as standard.
However, perhaps the most cutting-edge 'green' aspect of the
development is the capacity for all of its occupants to track their
own energy and water use.
"We always intended to have a 'green-o-meter' in the building
which would demonstrate to occupants the environmental standard to
which the building was currently operating," comments Fraser
Stride, Marketing Director at the site's developer, Citu. "After
closer investigation, we learned of the ability to monitor each
apartment and office's meter separately using the Priva building
management system. Ultimately, we were able to provide this
information about energy and water use in real time through
people's TVs, using IPTV technology."
First Project of its kind
Leeds-based specialist, Keep Keen Controls Ltd installed a
Priva internet-based, remote-access building management system
(BMS) to monitor and control utilities within the complex. Readings
from 735 meters are automatically collected and fed back into the
Priva system using Modbus, M-bus and pulse counting. However,
what sets this project apart is that this is the first example of a
next generation IPTV (Internet and IP Telephony <Tripleplay>)
system integrating with building management and monitoring
features.
Developed and installed by Reading-based Isrighthere, the UK's
leading supplier of managed IP based tripleplay networks, the IPTV
system takes XML data from the Priva BMS and turns it into
easy-to-understand, graphical data displays that tenants can view
on their television screens. In the first integration of its kind,
inhabitants of both the offices and apartments are able to access
up-to-the-minute information about consumption of energy and water,
calculated in terms of kWh of energy, litres of water, pounds spent
or carbon impact.
"The collection of data by the Priva systems has become popular
with offices and schools that that wish to give occupants more
interactivity with their energy and water use," comments John Ward,
Managing Director at Keep Keen Controls. "However, Greenhouse is
the first residential development to put in place such measures
using such advanced technology."
Unlike many office spaces, where tenants pay a flat fee for
their energy and water consumption, at Greenhouse, the data
collected by the Priva system ultimately results in tenants only
being billed for the resources they actually use, giving a
financial incentive to cut their carbon footprint.
"The response from occupants has been fantastic," says Citu's Mr
Stride. "Providing real-time information helps people understand
how their direct actions affect consumption. In this way, energy
and water become tangible resources, rather than being taken for
granted. By providing this information in a simple,
easy-to-understand format, it motivates residents to reduce
consumption as much as possible, because they know it benefits both
the planet and their finances."
Award winning project
The green credentials and innovative approach to energy
monitoring at Greenhouse have netted the development numerous
awards, including Project of the Year in the RIBA White Rose Awards
2010 and Sustainable Refurbishment of the Year in the UK Green
Building Council's Sustainability Awards. The offices and
apartments can also claim an impressive A-grade on their Energy
Performance Certificates (EPCs).
Citu has firmly established Greenhouse as a market leader in
sustainability. And, as more organisations and individuals seek to
take advantage of technology that allows them to interact with
their energy and water use, rather than just taking these resources
for granted, it is likely that many more developments will follow
Greenhouse's blueprint.
Green solutions
Priva develops sustainable solutions for energy management and
climate control. Our Priva experts are more than willing to advise
you on the right solution(s) for your school, hotel, hospital or
office building.
Contact a Priva expert
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