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Eco Ethos for Landmark Building.
Ambitious Eco Refurbishment for Yorkshire World Heritage Site Salt’s Mill, saving 40% energy.

A wide-ranging energy reduction program has been implemented as part of a multi-million pound project in one of the country’s most notable historic buildings, thanks to the sustainability expertise of award-winning building refurbishment and office interiors company, WATERHOUSE..

The Leeds based WATERHOUSE team are this week celebrating the completion of the latest phase of an ambitious eco-refurbishment project for one of the region's largest plcs within the world heritage site of Salt's Mill.

Pace Plc, the world’s largest supplier of set top boxes, commissioned WATERHOUSE with Mechanical and Electrical partners CTS, to design, implement and project manage the contract to upgrade the Grade II listed offices during last year.

Salt's Mill was always recognised as a prime location for the innovative company and a unique setting for playing host to international business partners but the 19th century buildings whilst undoubtedly attractive, did not sit well with the Eco commitment of the company.

The company’s goal to be the world-leader in low environmental impact (LEI) set-top boxes was demonstrated to recent visitors David Cameron and Vince Cable. Having made good progress in all other areas the focus turned to the headquarters in Saltaire.

With over 450 employees based at the site, occupying 9 research and development labs, open-plan administration/support areas and offices for senior executives. To update these historic buildings without disrupting the day to day operations, whilst also satisfying the requirements for improved eco performance resulted in a complex and challenging project.

Rising to the challenge, M.D John Waterhouse and his team set out to prove that historic industrial architecture can play host to modern eco-working. The result: a reduction of 40% energy consumption in the new labs - energy efficiency levels 25% greater than the original target.

John said: “Our job has been to create a greener, more dynamic and sustainable workspace without committing any architectural sins. We’ve definitely achieved this and in some areas we have been able to reinstate, and even enhance, the original features of the building.

“What's great to see in this project is an old building being updated for a more sustainable future. New builds have green credentials incorporated into the design from the outset, but to convert old buildings into environment friendly work-spaces is no mean feat, and we're very proud of the results.”

Waterhouse and their partners CTS have introduced a number of carbon reduction initiatives during the re-development, including:

• low energy dimmable LED lighting
• harvesting of natural daylight and heat, including reinstatement of north light roof windows
• body sensors, to switch lights off in unoccupied rooms
• power standby units that can close down equipment left on standby for more than 10 minutes
• fresh air via heat recovery units that preheats incoming fresh air using recycled waste heat
• water heaters using heat recovery to heat domestic hot water
• a centralised control system for temperature regulation
• electronic measurement of energy consumption.

Committed to sustainability through every element of the project WATERHOUSE restored existing features, enhanced those that were under-performing and replaced systems that were not future-proofed.

Waste has been recycled wherever possible. The office carpet tiles have been redeployed by Interface; office furniture recycled by Senator; timber joists recycled, and builders’ waste separated and 90% reclaimed.

Eco Changes for Life

With an on-site café, new gym underway and the addition of showers, staff have facilities on site to encourage cycling to work and to reduce the need to travel, reducing vehicle use.

Graham Barker, Group Facilities Manager at Pace said: “As part of our Low Environmental Impace (LEI) program, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint. Our brief for this project was to work with the heritage of the building and to meet, or exceed, the standards set for energy efficiency in modern buildings, and we are delighted with the results.”

Keeping Pace with Sustainability

Committed to sustainability through every element of the project, WATERHOUSE restored existing features, enhanced those that were under-performing and replaced systems that were not future-proofed. Everything possible was recycled – including 90% of the builders’ waste.

John Waterhouse commented: “Just like Salt’s Mill, we too were established in 1853, so have a real affinity with this historic landmark. We’re confident that Titus Salt, who shaped a community by building his workers their own village of Saltaire, would be proud of what we’ve achieved within his building - creating a sustainable environment for the future.”

WATERHOUSE was established in 1853 and currently employs 40 staff. Its services include: Building Refurbishment; Office Refurbishment and Fit-Out; Industrial and External Refurbishment; Interior Design and Planning and laterly Energy Reduction and Environmental Audit and Design.

Pace CEO Neil Gaydon said: “The refurbishment by WATERHOUSE has totally satisfied my requirements and I trust them to continue in the same vain.”
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