A LINCOLN company is embarking on a project to create the most energy efficient office in the county.
Cool Milk’s new subsidiary HQ will use a raft of the latest technology to cut energy costs by half and reduce carbon emissions by up to 75%.
The systems used in the new building at Langworth include:
• Solar PV to generate electricity
• Solar water panels to heat water for the building
• Mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems to keep a flow of fresh air and pre-warm it in the winter
• Rain water harvesting system for toilet flushing provided by Freerain
• Air source heat pumps for heating and cooling the building
• External insulation to help maintain a stable internal temperature
• Ultra low energy LED lighting and the use of natural light throughout the building
Bridge House, designed by SGA Associates and constructed by Gusto Construction, is believed to be the first in Lincolnshire to use a new cutting-edge construction material called the Thin Joint solid block System.
It uses specially manufactured aircrete blocks and quick-setting thin layer of adhesive rather than a traditional block and mortar system. This allows for much quicker construction times and makes the building more air tight – allowing for more efficient heating and cooling.
Building work, costing around £400,000, is already well advanced and the roof will be finished this week.
The new offices will house employees from Langworth Resources Ltd, which acts as a head office for Cool Milk’s UK dairy interests.
“This is a really exciting project. It is always good to work with forward looking companies like Cool Milk who are keen to build cutting edge offices which will both reduce their future energy costs and create a pleasant working environment for their staff. ” said Gusto chief executive Steff Wright.
“Not only will it be one of the most energy efficient offices in the county but we are expecting to complete the project quicker because of the innovative building techniques.
“I’m looking forward to completing the work and seeing the staff move in.”
Collingham-based Gusto Construction, set up in 1990, is earning a strong reputation for sustainable building projects.
Cool Milk , established in 1998, works in partnership with local authorities to supply free milk for children aged under five in pre-schools, nurseries, children’s centres and crèches.
Three years ago the company expanded its operations into Eastern Europe. It now employs 200 staff at offices in Lincoln and Durham.
Founder and CEO Jon Thornes said the company had moved out of Langworth four years ago but he was keen to re-establish a base in the village because that was where the company started 15 years ago.
“Cool Milk had to move out of Langworth due to lack of space and lack of facilities. I decided then that I wanted to have some presence in the village where the business started 15 years ago,” he said.
“A modern resource efficient building will pay for itself in the long run by giving reduced running costs and a good place to work.
“I chose Gusto because the company is well known in the East Midlands for being the leading experts for providing resource efficient buildings and have a strong reputation for producing the results.”