(BDT_12_049) Wessex Water Operation Centre

Description

The Wessex Water Operation Centre in Bath is an outstanding example of a sustainable, environmentally friendly office building. In the year 2000, it was designated the most ecological office building in Great Britain, because its energy consumption is only 100 kWh/m² per year, as opposed to the British average of 300-400 kWh/m². The Wessex Water Operation Centre scored the highest ever rating for a commercial building according to BREEAM 98, the comparison method of the UK’s Building Research Establishment (BRE) for sustainable construction (see also “Better Buildings: Better Business”). At the same time, it also creates a work environment in which the occupant is given pride of place, and in addition, adapts itself to the landscape with great sensitivity. This high quality was achieved on the one hand thanks to the client’s commitment to ensuring that the project be “an excellent example of how a commercial building can be environmentally friendly and sustainable,” and on the other, thanks to Bennetts Associates’ experience in the field of sustainable construction, proven through projects like the headquarters of PowerGen or British Telecom in Edinburgh.

Wessex Water is a local water supplier in the Southwest of England that, having belonged to the American energy concern Enron since 1998, has just been sold to YTL Utilities of Malaysia. Its headquarters are in Bath, which still has a unique, uniform town ensemble of international cultural significance. The requirements for a new building are therefore very stringent. The site, on which a hospital formerly stood, lies on a south-facing slope high on a hill overlooking the city. The main features of this landscape of steep rolling hills, are fields bounded by the limestone walls characteristic of the South of England, little patches of woodland and far-reaching views.

Just as the city of Bath picks up the light and colour of its surroundings through the use of the local limestone, the Wessex Water Operation Centre enters into a close relationship with the landscape both through the use of materials such as limestone, steel and glass, and landscaped roofs. Its four storeys follow the topography in steps; the ground plan is laid out as a comb-like form open to the east. The ‘street’ is the organisational and communicative centre. Running down the slope, it links the three wings laid out parallel to the contour lines. Facilities open to the public such as the reception area, the control room, the café, the library and informal meeting points are located along this street. The western side is bordered by a restaurant with a terrace, meeting rooms, a health club and a social club. Open work areas on the opposite side continue eastwards through the building’s wings. The ground plan and the form of the building allow a variety of views, both inside and towards the landscape outside. The combination of the play of light and shadow – which changes with the sun’s position in the sky – and the sounds generated by fountain sculptures engender a mood of calm in the midst of nature throughout the building.

Teamwork determines the organisational structure of Wessex Water, and all the employees, including the management, work at personalised workplaces in the open areas. The formal and informal exchange of information was the focus of particular attention. It was treated on a par with the other office activities. Every work area in the office wings is organised according to the same principle, promoting ‘information work’ through the provision of space on a graduated scale. Team discussions can take place not only in open meeting zones directly adjacent to the workplaces to which they are assigned, but also in closed meeting rooms. The two so-called “Business Centres” for each work area also offer staff the opportunity to chat while copying, faxing or taking refreshments. For longer conversations, staff go to the cafe, or in summer, to the gardens outside. For formal meetings with outside participants, larger rooms are available on the other side of the access way. The simple, clearly laid out access and the views through the whole building encourage employee interaction and ensure creativity and productivity.

The construction and the climate control concept were integrated from the outset. Bennetts Associates worked in close cooperation with the publishers of BREEAM 98. In accordance with these guidelines and those of the Movement for Innovation (M4I), another initiative for the promotion of sustainable building construction, in which the architects themselves participate in a leading capacity, they established six categories for comparing the sustainability of a building: operational energy consumption, energy used in constructing the building, energy for transport, waste management, water management and conservation of biodiversity.

The operational energy consumption was reduced to 100 kWh/m² by the consistent use of known principles of ecological construction, such as thermal mass, shade, natural ventilation and light, and solar energy for heating and hot water. The energy used in constructing the building was greatly reduced mainly by minimising the built volume, particularly with regard to concrete and steel. For example, after analysing the behaviour of concrete thermal masses, the thickness of the load-bearing ceiling elements developed as shells, could be reduced to 7.5 cm. The use of materials whose manufacture produced low pollution levels and of recycled materials further reduced the amount of energy used in construction. The energy consumed in transport was decreased by the extensive use of locally available materials such as limestone and oak, and through soil excavation without intermediate storage outside the construction site. Waste management on the construction site, the extensive use of prefabricated parts and the recycling of materials even yielded a financial profit through reduction of disposal costs. Rainwater is collected in large underground tanks and used for grey-water circulation. However, the methods employed to achieve a high degree of environmental friendliness go far beyond the building and the construction process. Although surface sealing was avoided in favour of water-permeable paving of the parking lot, promoting the renunciation of cars is more fundamental and more effective. A company shuttle bus which can also transport bicycles, showers and changing rooms for cyclists, agreements with local markets regarding online ordering of groceries and the installation of cold rooms for storing purchases all help the staff to do without their cars.

Here, holistic, environmentally conscious construction and work organisation in concert with the clients, enters into an employee-oriented association that understands the sustainability of office buildings as a comprehensive process. Wessex Water provides an excellent example of the responsible use of natural and human resources.