The Ecos Millennium Environmental Centre in Ballymena includes a lecture theatre, galleries, shop and management suite. It aims to provide an integrated experience and education in biodiversity, sustainability and renewable energy. By exceeding performance targets, Ecos has proved the powerful benefits of a design philosophy based on sustainable, low-energy principles, and set new benchmarks in the process.
Ecos uses 110 m2 of photovoltaic cells; 54 m2 of evacuated tube solar collectors; a 30kW wind turbine; and a 50 kW biomass chp plant, fuelled by 9 ha of short rotation willow coppice grown on site. Ecos has outperformed its targets of using renewable resources to meet 60% of the centre's energy requirements, and reducing CO2 emissions by 300 tonnes per year in the process.
The design of the building was also key in reducing energy consumption, achieved by incorporating a super-insulated building fabric and takes advantage of the stack effect to achieve natural ventilation.
And the runners up...
Fulcrum Consulting The Mile End Park buildings are designed to be 'zero heating'. Earth surrounding the buildings is used as an inter-seasonal heat store, and south-facing glazing has made them the most energy efficient public buildings in the UK.
Demonstrated the best application of sustainable design
Max Fordham & Partners
This consultancy's work on Housing Trust flats in Leeds includes a specially designed heat reclaim ventilation system. A SAP rating in excess of 100 was achieved.
Calor Gas Refrigeration
Calor Gas has provided training for refrigeration engineers, joint ventures with installation firms, and putting the business case for environmentally friendly refrigeration to end users.
Source
Building Sustainable Design
Postscript
Sponsored by Wilo Salmson Pumps
