ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BUSINESS INCUBATION CENTRE COMPLETE
23 Aug 2006
REID architecture has just completed a 2,100sqm business incubation centre
on the Alba Campus in Livingston, West Lothian. REID architecture’s
commitment to an innovative and sustainable approach has created a project
which can be added to the shortlist of UK office and commercial buildings
that use timber structurally. The scheme for Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh
and Lothian will provide a variety of office accommodation over 2 levels
for new and small businesses arranged around communal, interactive spaces
managed by an operator offering business advice and support. REID architecture
have imported products and systems from the residential and industrial
sectors to achieve a more environmentally conscious, cost efficient solution
that challenges the accepted model without compromising BCO standards
for offices.
A glulam timber frame has been used to create the frame for the 2 storey
building rather than steel. The glulam timber frame consumes about one
tenth of the energy in its manufacture as would a traditional steel frame.
This is not only a “greener” solution but the escalating price
of steel has made it an economic solution. It also gives opportunities
for the visual warmth of timber to be exposed throughout the accommodation.
The use of TGI joist technology for the first floor with plywood sheeting
(as commonly used in residential development) is an eco friendly alternative
to concrete planks or poured slab, again making significant energy savings
in its manufacture. Throughout the project there has been a drive to employ
offsite/ prefabricated solutions in conjunction with the almost total
elimination of wet trades to reduce excessive on-site waste and improve
health & safety of site operatives.
Scottish grown larch cladding is used on the approach elevation with a
distinctive timber “eyebrow” to the entrance. Again, these timber
clad areas are fixed to an inner leaf of prefabricated insulated timber
panels. The entrance is defined with an angled wall and glass light box
element, once inside you are pulled through with a double height window
and void in which you access the first floor. The white plasterboard and
exposed glulam are satisfyingly clean and simple, the plan is equally
strong, bound by a central spine linking the reception and advisors zone
to the smaller office accommodation.
The offices are accessed along corridor spaces filtered with light coming
through an open grid ceiling, concealing the services above. Dark floors
accentuate the warmth of the glulam and once inside the office/ meeting
rooms you are offered framed views across open fields to the west and
to the tree belt bound edge to the east. The windows have been sized to
avoid cutting of the panels to reduce on-site waste and are designed to
maximise air movement, support the natural ventilation strategy and allow
light deeper into the plan.
Normal roof paraphernalia of gutters and eaves is suppressed to create
a strong and simple rectilinear elevation, animated with the moving shadow
of the expressed rainwater pipes and hoppers.
Elsewhere the elevation is clad in a metal and non-ozone depleting mineral
fibre wool composite panel that is normally found in the industrial sector.
This requires no secondary structure and, at 150mm, offers benefits on
net to gross measurements and speedier erection.
The parking bays have been treated with a Grid-lock system, offering the
high load bearing capacity of asphalt whilst providing an alternative
to hard landscaping. In addition it is both economically viable and aesthetically
pleasing.
Alba Campus - Project Team:
Quantity Surveyor Davis Langdon
M&E Engineer KJ Tait
Structural Engineer Woolgar Hunter
Main Contractor Ogilvie
Alba Livingston - PR from REID architecture 290906
Scottish Architecture
Alba
Livingston
Scottish Office
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Alba Campus Livingston:
page - adrian welch / isabelle lomholt