04 June 2009
An eco-friendly, low carbon building based in Lincoln is set to offer local business a greener choice of managed office space.
Think Tank is a £7.1m complex developed by Marks Barfield Architects, who were given a brief to design a sustainable, low carbon building using a combination of passive and active technologies. Plus, the building had to offer a flexible, stimulating working environment, incorporate shared resources and encourage social interaction and the exchange of ideas.
The result is an impressive-looking, futuristic structure that holds a vast array of green credentials. Two of the main eco elements it boasts are the use of sun pipes, which allow good levels of glare-free daylight, and wind catchers, which provide controllable, natural ventilation and night-time cooling. Along with an exposed concrete frame and green roof, these are visible indicators of the building’s green philosophy.
Around 49 sun pipes have been used. These intensify and reflect daylight and sunlight from the roof down into the building. The system is effective in both sunny and overcast conditions, is an excellent way of saving costs and energy, and is also highly durable and resistant to vandalism.
Meanwhile, 32 wind catchers were also installed. Designed to fit specific spaces, they’re extremely reliable, can operate at relatively low wind speeds and contain few moving parts. Special Sola-boost wind catchers were used, which allow for best performance even on a hot sunny day with little wind.
Externally, the building is partially clad with iridescent Rockpanel Chameleon boards. These are fabricated with basalt and use 20 to 30 per cent recycled materials.
To ensure maximum sustainability, the team has adopted the targets for the Energy Efficient Office of the Future, produced by the Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme. This means that carbon dioxide emissions are limited to 30kg CO2/m2/yr or lower, while energy consumption must be 80kWh/ m2/yr. The building is also highly insulated and has an airtightness of 4a/hr/ m2 at 50pa – which exceeds the current building regulations by around 60 per cent.
Its eco offering, plus its state-of-the art facilities and central location, make Think Tank a highly desirable workspace. The complex stands on a brownfield two acre site and provides 21 high-quality offices and nine workspaces for new technology, research and development, as well as service sector businesses.
This project to nurture innovation in Lincolnshire is backed by the City of Lincoln Council, East Midlands Development Agency, Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Enterprise, Innovation Lincolnshire and the Objective 2 European Regional Development Fund.
For more information on locating your business within Think Tank, please contact Rob Smith or Tracey Footsoy 01522 873466 / 873236.
For further information please contact: Caroline Ashman – Senior Communications Officer – 01522 873443 – (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) Alternatively, contact Julian Havenhand or Rachel Shaw on 01522 522773.