Sustainable Strategies
Materials / Structure / Construction
Where possible the aim is to either use renewable or reclaimed materials..
• CLT panels for structural walls and floor planks
• Glulam columns / beams / grid-shell
• Sustainable concrete using recycled cement alternatives
The use of off-site manufacture / pre-fabrication
Systems / Services
Reduce the resource / energy consumption of the building with
• Mixed-Mode ventilation & ground source temperature regulation for mixed-mode heating / cooling
• Sun shading
• Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV)
• LED Lighting
• Rainwater capture for use in toilets
• Building Management system
CLT & GLULAM STRUCTURE
View from the café Bar of the first floor open office area and the second floor closed offices.
With sustainably sourced timber used for
• CLT Floors and Walls
• GLULAM external and internal columns
• GLULAM grid shell roof
A range of panels have been modelled in the Gateway design, for use in different wall and floor types. With different widths / thickness’s and finishes as required by their use.
For the purpose of the design the wall width and floor thickness of the CLT panels in the design model was based on case study examples; however these sizes would be subject to analysis and confirmation by structural engineers
CLT Advantages
• Stores carbon throughout its usable lifespan
• Avoids thermal bridging
• Good delivery of airtight envelope
• Light weight reduces load on foundations so less need
for materials with high embodied energy (e.g. concrete)
• Robust finished wall will take sundry fixings
• Simple and fast on-site construction process
GLULAM Advantages
• Can be manufactured in wide variety of shapes and sizes
• Beams can be tapered, bevelled to create complex configurations
• Has an excellent strength to weight and stiffness to weight ratio
• Can be used internally and externally depending on the grade / timber species / treatment
• Excellent fire safety; slow to char, the un-charred section retains its strength.
Construction Benefits
The pre-fabrication of CLT panels to tight factory tolerances and quality standards provides many benefits during construction.
- Scheduling benefits from a defined assembly sequence.
- Precision openings allow pre-order and rapid installation of windows, doors and other fixtures.
- Use of lightweight tools means sites are safer and quieter
- Health risks due to vibrating equipment for concrete construction eliminated
- Reduced deliveries of materials results in less disruption to neighbours
- Reduced foundation requirements due to the lighter, distributed loads.
- Solid substrate for the easy installation of first and second fix items.
The Gateway Building would be quicker to construct in CLT over traditional methods with some estimates that CLT construction is six times faster than a standard build with virtually no lost waiting times. .
HEATING / COOLING / V ENTILATION
HEATING / COOLING / V ENTILATION
HEATING / COOLING / V ENTILATION
Mixed mode ventilation is used, depending on weather and controlled by a Building management System (BMS)
– with different strategies in different parts of the building
Concurrent - both mechanical and natural ventilation at the same time
Change-over - switches between mechanical and natural ventilation
Zoned - mechanical ventilation
HEATING / COOLING / V ENTILATION
HEATING / COOLING / V ENTILATION
GEO Power Heat exchange system
An air ventilation, preconditioning / filtration system using shallow underground renewable energy - with an integrated rubble stone heat store.
With open aspects to the south without the shading strategies excess solar gain in the summer would result in higher than comfortable temperatures within the building; while in winter sun entering south-facing windows can positively contribute to passive solar heating.
Shading is provided:-
at ground floor level
• overhangs,
• natural landscaping
at first floor level
• louvred timber screens
above first floor level
• photo-voltaic cells within grid shell window elements
Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) - Roof Panels
RP5 - Low shading - 5 BIPV cells
RP6 - Medium shading - 9 BIPV cells
RP7 - High shading - full BIPV cells
