Greenhouse, developed by UK-based developer of sustainable and inspirational buildings Citu, is conceived as a collection of distinctive homes and offices powered by sustainable energy.
Sustainable building methods have created well-insulated interiors, which benefit from on-site renewable energy generation. Occupants are able to access information about their own energy and water consumption through their TV screen, using state-of-the-art building control technology from Priva Building Intelligence Ltd. Priva specialises in climate control in both the horticultural and building intelligence sectors.
The £26 million ($40.42 million) project has transformed a mouldering art-deco hostel in South Leeds into a distinctive multi-use development. The site currently boasts 166 high-spec one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments; facilities including a gym and deli; and 17,000 square feet of sustainable office space set around a landscaped courtyard. This distinctive development comprises 172 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments plus high-specification creative work space.
Renewable electricity and heat are provided to the Greenhouse complex through a combination of ground source heat pumps, wind turbines and solar thermal roof panels. Water from showers and basins, plus rain water collected from the roof, is recycled and used to flush toilets and supply washing machines. Low-energy lighting and A+ rated white goods are available as standard. The most cutting-edge ‘green’ aspect of the development is the capacity for all of its occupants to track their own energy and water use.
Leeds-based specialist, Keep Keen Controls Ltd installed a Priva internet-based, remote-access building management system (BMS) to monitor and control utilities within the complex. Readings from 735 meters are automatically collected and fed back into the Priva system using Modbus, M-bus and pulse counting. A notable element of this project is that it claims to be the first example of a next generation Internet and IP Telephony (IPTV) Tripleplay system integrated with building management and monitoring features.
The UK-based supplier of managed IP based tripleplay networks, the IPTV system, takes XML data from the Priva BMS and turns it into easy-to-understand, graphical data displays that tenants can view on their television screens. In the first integration of its kind, inhabitants of both the offices and apartments are able to access up-to-the-minute information about consumption of energy and water, calculated in terms of kWh of energy, litres of water, pounds spent or carbon impact.
Unlike many office spaces, where tenants pay a flat fee for their energy and water consumption, at Greenhouse, the data collected by the Priva system results in tenants only being billed for the resources they actually use, giving a financial incentive to cut their carbon footprint.
The green credentials and innovative approach to energy monitoring at Greenhouse have netted the development numerous awards, including Project of the Year in the RIBA White Rose Awards 2010 and Sustainable Refurbishment of the Year in the UK Green Building Council’s Sustainability Awards. The offices and apartments can also claim an impressive A-grade on their Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs).
Greenhouse apartments are distinctly designed inside and out; design has not been forsaken for functionality. Part refurbishment of a classic 1940’s building, the design ethos embraces the history of the building with exposed concrete, timber and brickwork combined with contemporary statement colours, fabrics and retro-chic furniture all looking out over the diverse cityscape of Leeds city centre.
