West Oxfordshire District Council: Headquarters
This Headquarters for the West Oxfordshire District Council won a Green Apple National Silver Award* for incorporating the latest energy-efficient technology and environmentally sustainable materials.
*The Green Organisation is an independent, non-political, non-activist, non-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world.
The brief called for a modern light building, sympathetic to its residential location. The building design and specification of materials was driven by the need to reduce its environmental impact and to increase the air quality inside the building.
West Oxfordshire District Council: Headquarters
The building fabric is thermally responsive with local stone used as external cladding. Sheep´s wool is used as insulation, and recycled carpet laid internally.
Berman Guedes Stretton negotiated a grant to use photovoltaic cells, and a monitor in the reception area shows how much electricity is produced each day. Rainwater harvesting to flush WCs, solar panels to heat the water and controlled day-lighting and low energy artificial lighting, all contribute to the building´s passive energy system. The naturally-ventilated building has been designed to use 50% less energy than similar offices.
This project received a commendation in the Civic Trust Awards 2005.
West Oxfordshire District Council: Headquarters
Client: West Oxfordshire District Council
Completion: 2003
Contract Value: £3m