Cowgate
England
NE5 3AL
United Kingdom
The Sill features an exhibition space, learning and event spaces, a local produce café, rural business hub, a world-class 86 bed Youth Hostel and a shop. Situated within the Northumberland National Park, the design responds to this sensitive setting. The fully accessible living roof sweeps gently upwards, giving all visitors a bird’s eye vantage point across one of the UK’s most magnificent landscapes. The Sill was designed with sustainable principles from the outset. A central atrium provides daylight in to the heart of the building while allowing natural ventilation. The south facing entrance canopy provides solar shading while also supporting photovoltaics for generating electricity. Solar panels on the roof also produce hot water while the remaining fully accessible roof increases biodiversity and reduces surface water runoff. The building also incorporates high levels of insulation and air tightness, locally sourced stone and enhanced ecology including habitats for bats and birds.
This eco home has a sustainable design which maximises daylight and the superb views across the Northumberland countryside. It is based on a timber frame with triple glazing to give a Fabric First approach to energy efficiency. A high level of airtightness, complemented with a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system gives fresh air throughout the home, and has helped it achieve an EPC rating of A. The home uses a range of low and zero carbon technologies to reduce its energy consumption. Primarily, the house is heated with a ground source heat pump which is powered by two large arrays of photovoltaic panels. These also provide hot water during the summer months using a solar diverter. The client has now spent a full year in the house and reports that it is very comfortable, easy to heat, and that they’re generating nearly as much electricity as they’re using.
The brief from our client included ambitious energy use and CO2 emission targets which we achieved through orientation and high levels of insulation in the walls, floor and roof. Large triple-glazed windows provide daylight throughout the offices, whilst a colonnade with climbing plants prevents overheating. The 1,100m2 office can be heated with a single domestic-sized gas boiler. The office is naturally ventilated and has shower facilities for commuting cyclists and lunch-time runners. building is kitted out with state-of-the-art communications with fast-fibre broadband throughout, a boardroom with interactive smart screen and conference space for 100 delegates with a super-size wall projection screen.