Wessex Water Operations Centre
Bath, UK
At the Wessex Water Operations Centre we created an exemplary environmental project that recognised the sensitivity of the site within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the World Heritage City boundary, whilst promoting an ecological and sustainable design and construction.
Innovation is central to the project. The detail design promotes the imaginative use of water; the scheme was one of the first in England to use porous paving for car park areas, and integrated swales and soakaways also contribute to water conservation. Semi-mature trees are used as a solar shading system for the building, providing climate moderation as well as visual pleasure.
A further success of the scheme has been the restoration of semi-natural habitats, including extensive rooftop wildflower grasslands with orchids. Care was taken to use and conserve site-specific limestone soils and planting mixes, and to make use of stone excavated on site.
Awards
- BREEAM ‘Excellent’ Environmental Assessment
- Winner
- Civic Trust Award
- Winner
- RICS Low Energy Award
- Winner
- RICS Building of the Year
- Winner
- British Construction Industry Award for Building of the Year
- Winner
- RIBA Award
- Winner
Project Info
- Client:
- Wessex Water
- Architect:
- Bennetts Associates
- Engineer:
- Buro Happold