Wessex Water, Bath

When it was completed is was the most energy efficient and sustainable building in the country with the highest BREEAM rating at that time for a commercial office building.

The Project

The client, Bennetts Associates Architects and Buro Happold Consulting Engineers created the most energy efficient and sustainable building in the country with the highest BREEAM rating at that time for a commercial office building. In environmental terms the project was acclaimed by the Building Research Establishment as the ‘greenest’ commercial building in the UK. It stands as an exemplary example of energy efficiency, low embodied energy, recycling including aggregate for the concrete structure and recycled storm and grey water and enhanced biodiversity. 


Building Control

Oculus were pleased to have been part of the team involved with this ground breaking project. Part L Conservation of fuel and power was well exceeded with the team’s sustainable approach. The ‘E’ shaped plan comprised of three stepped wings which hugged the contours of the sloping site. The open plan interior linked by a central ‘street’ created a dynamic space. The exterior made use of different materials including Bath stone. The building was naturally ventilated which greatly reduced its energy consumption with it not requiring air-conditioning.

The building was multi-award winning.


CASE STUDY
Litfield Court

Litfield Court is situated in the affluent residential district of Clifton in the city of Bristol. It is comprised of two impressive Georgian style Grade II listed semi-detached former residential houses, constructed in c1830, with an ancillary coach house to the rear of the property. The two houses had until recently been used as a care home for the elderly.

The building was acquired by Kersfield Developments, who obtained permission to convert the property into 8 luxury apartments.

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CASE STUDY
Queen Mary University of London

Part of the School of Humanities, the 5-storey building contains a large auditorium, studios, teaching and administration facilities designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects Limited for Queen Mary’s University of London at its Mile End Campus. The new film and drama studio is clad in distinctive glass panels – digitally printed with artwork by the artist Jacqueline Poncelet.  QMUL is highly ranked amongst UK universities for the provision of arts and humanities courses.

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CASE STUDY
The Gainsborough Bath Spa

The Gainsborough building situated in the heart of Bath was formerly part of the City of Bath College. A Grade II listed building from the Georgian period designed by John Pinch the Elder. The conversion to a 5* luxury hotel presented many challenges. The new multi-storey Lower Borough Walls wing reflects the host building architecturally. In the heart of the hotel lies Spa Village Bath, which is quite unique insofar as it has access to the natural thermal mineral-rich waters, making it the only natural thermal spa inside a hotel in the UK.

The main stair protection was particularly challenging as enclosing it was not an option from a conservation perspective. A solution of discreetly placed fire curtains operating on the fire alarm system to provide protection was developed. There are also isolated areas with sprinkler protection to provide an alternative to passive fire protection.

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