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Trusts Green Headquarters Wins An Award

Posted: 03/11/2006

Heelis, the National Trust's new green headquarters in Swindon, has won a prize. The building won the British Construction Industry £3m to £50m award. The judges said " this is a building which works well and efficiently. Reviving the classic sawtooth north light factory roof, this new office building fits perfectly in its historic Great Western Railway works setting, puts excellent natural lighting on almost every desk, and pays masterful attention to sustainability".

"This bespoke, lump sum, fixed price building created for the National Trust embodies quality which its developer/owner will value long after the present leaseback expires".

Heelis includes many practical environmental features, from shaded, recessed glass wall panels and fresh air ventilation with roof snouts assisting the stack effect; to use of timber from NT managed forests and carpeting that is 80% upland farm sheepswool.

Rob Jarman, Head of Sustainability & Environmental Practices at the National Trust, says: "We are delighted to have won this award. Heelis not only draws on innovative construction features, such as hi-tech solar panels for electricity generation, a roof design that optimises natural ventilation, and vertical lightwells that provide daylight throughout each floor, it is one of the most energy efficient office buildings in the country. This award sends out signals that sustainability can, and should, be achieved in new mainstream buildings".

He continued, "Heelis is a flagship example of our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint and developing renewable energy schemes at our own properties. Heelis is floored with carpet manufactured using wool from Herdwick sheep from the Lake District and is clad and decorated inside with timber from National Trust woodlands. It generates one third of its electricity demand from its solar roof and saves water through its water-miserly lavatories and washrooms. But above all, it is a fantastic place in which to work and from which to serve our supporters."

Jo Wright, Lead Architect and partner at Feilden Clegg Bradley Architects said: "The great thing about the British Construction Industry Awards is that they recognise the contributions of the whole team and this project exemplifies the benefits of teamwork . Heelis is the result of everyone involved from client and contractor to design team and the local authority working together to achieve a completely new type of office building which is at the forefront of sustainable design and provides a great working environment".

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