Little Green Truck: New Build Case Study - Adnams Brewery
Adnams Brewery's new eco-distribution centre in Southwold, Suffolk, is on course to be one of the first commercial buildings to receive a BRE Environmental Assessment method (Breeam) 'excellent' rating for energy efficiency. A large, single-storey warehouse with associated loading and storage areas. (approximately 4,400m2 in total), it is situated within a disused gravel pit set in 85 acres of grassland. The gravel pit offers thermal stability because it is below ground level, and the surrounding wildlife park shields the building from view and minimises the impact of noise and light.
All the walls are built from blogs made out of lime, quarry waste and hemp, all locally sourced, which have excellent mechanical, insulating and environmental qualities. The insulation is a loose mix of hemp and lime. Lime/hemp constructionj has considerable environmental benefits.
- Outstanding thermal performance: Standard U Valve regulations are set at 0.46 - the Adnams distribution centre will achieve 0.18. Lime/hemp blogs also provide excellent sound insulation.
- Passive regulation of humidity and temperature: No mechanical heating or cooling systems will be needed in the warehouse.
- Carbon sequestration: There is the equivalent of 100 to 150 tonnes of CO2 locked up within the walls at the centre. A conventional brick and block building of the same tize would have been responsible for about 300 to 600 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This means Adnams has made a saving of at least 450 tonnes of CO2 by using lime/hemp construction.
- The key benefits of the building: Minimal energy and mains water usage. There is no active heating or cooling system internally - the cold beer is carefully moved around to create optimal storage conditions. The energy savings compared to a standard building are significant.
- Hemp is a renewable resource: One hectare will grow enough to build five houses in 14 weeks. Much of the internal girding is wood rather than steel as it is less energy intensive to develop and renewable. The centre has a green roof covered in sedum, which insulates the building, keeping it warm in winter, cool in summer and that harvests most of the water needed on sight. Parking is on reinforced grass rather than concrete.
- Fuel costs: Based on 2004 costs (when Adnams' board decided to take this route), £32,000 per annum.
- Fuel costs 2006: Based on these, £49,000 per annum. THe company expects water savings to become financially sufficient. Natural light is alowed in through rooflights and celestory windows, with glare minimised by screening and overhanging eaves.
Supporting the Little Green Truck: Michelin and Shell
