Agricultural centre shows route to sustainability
The new Regional Agricultural Centre on the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate achieves high environmental standards in its construction and operation. M&E services design was by Buro Happold, which worked with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society to maximise occupant comfort while minimising the energy consumption fort this 2-storey development.
The structure of the building has been created from timber, and the sedum roof utilises a Herdwick wool carpet and insulation. Funding from Yorkshire Forward enabled additional sustainable features to be incorporated into the design at an early stage in the project.
Ground-source heat pumps serve the underfloor heating and cooling systems.
Thermal modelling has been used to develop an effective ventilation strategy, leading to enhanced treatment of rooms on the south facade to ensure they equal conditions in rooms on the north side.
Solar thermal panels on the roof heat the hot water. A rainwater recycling system reduces the building’s water consumption.
Christine Lowry, associate at Buro Happold, comments, ‘It is a testament to the determination of the client and design team that the building has retained so many of its integrated sustainable features throughout its development to yield a building worthy of exemplar sustainable status within the region.’
