Wates Construction delivers showcase building for OrbisEnergy
10/23/08
Wates Construction Northern Home Counties has completed OrbisEnergy in the first phase of the Lowestoft shoreline regeneration programme.
Completed by Wates Construction under the Suffolk County Council framework, the multi million 30,000 sq ft2 office building, demonstrates sustainability at its best and has been designed as a showcase building for sustainable technologies.
With the emergence of the off-shore energy sector, the building provides office space for start ups, SMEs, multi-national companies and academic organisations, and offers long term employment opportunities for local residents.
Ian Vickers, Business Unit Director for Wates Construction Northern Home Counties, said: “OrbisEnergy has been a successfully delivered project that saw the whole team working together in a collaborative manner. With its innovative sustainable credentials and eye catching design, the project was not without its construction challenges, specifically by being at the mercy of the elements due to its location – just a stones thrown from the North Sea. Any issues were quickly and efficiently resolved by the Design and Construction Team, which included Wates, Suffolk County Council, Pick Everard Designers and our supply chain partners.”
Annett Thompson, Head of Profession, QS and Specialists for Suffolk County Council, said: “This construction project demonstrated partnership working at it’s best with no barriers between the Designers and Constructors and with everyone totally focused on delivering a unique landmark building.
”This ambitious and iconic project was delivered by the innovative partnership between Suffolk County Council (SCC), the East of England Development Agency (EEDA), Renewables East and Waveney District Council. OrbisEnergy is owned by SCC and managed on their behalf by Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES). The majority of the capital funding was provided by EEDA and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Objective Two Funding. The aim is to make OrbisEnergy the UK capital for the emerging offshore renewables energy sector.”
Having helped OrbisEnergy to achieve an Energy Performance Asset Rating well within Band A, the sustainable materials and components utilised throughout the build include solar thermal tracker for the hot water, passive ventilation wind catcher terminals and a biomass boiler. The internal environment is controlled by assisted natural ventilation using full height light wells, and daylight and presence sensors in each room.
Factory produced timber cassette wall paneling forms the west facing elevation
with highly efficient and cost effective sheep’s wool insulation. Wherever possible materials have been selected based on their ability to be recycled or made from recycled materials – the counters are made from recycled fridge doors and yoghurt pots and part of the reception desk from recycled CDs.
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Notes to Editors
1. Wates is one of the UK’s largest construction services and development companies. Established in 1897, it remains privately owned by Wates Family Holdings. Wates employs more than 2,200 people and had a turnover of £949 million in 2007.
2. The company works across a range of sectors, including education, public sector frameworks, affordable housing, retail fit out and refurbishment, office interiors, land development and commercial buildings.
3. Safety is a top priority within Wates Group, and our excellent safety record has resulted in RoSPA Gold Awards for Occupational Safety and the British Safety Council Awards for the past five years.
For further information, please contact: Sara Willcocks on telephone 01372 861622 or email: sara.willcocks@wates.co.uk
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