Magna Fusion :
Architects: Rothrham Construction Partnership
www.rotherham.gov.uk
Developer: Rotherham Investment & Development Office (RIDO)
Structural Eng: Rotherham Construction
Partnership
Status: Completed August 2008:
Design:
This award winning design was recognized as best in category in the 2009 South Yorkshire & Humber Building Excellence Awards "Best Commercial Building Over £1 million. www.syhbuildinquality.co.uk
Located next to Magna Science Adventure Centre on the site of he former Templeborough Rolling Mill and surrounded by an industrial / commercial landscape, the project is a concept building with the idea that the design reads as ‘A green oasis in the middle of the industrial landscape’. The office element of the building’s is stepped back over three stories and incorporates trellis work to allow climbing plants to green the buildings façade. Large windows enable maximisation of natural lighting. Cycle access from Sheffield Road and covered parking is provided in a location convenient for pedestrians access from the Quality Bus Corridor and through direct link off the Magna access road, and from the Visitors Attraction itself.
Sustainability:
A green roof is proposed, and this again will reinforce the sustainability ethos, and provide benefit including protection of waterproofing, temperature moderation, rainfall attenuation, and improved biodiversity.
An ‘extensive’ system is proposed to minimise loading and provide a demonstrator site with a wide application.
Natural light within the building is a theme in this project with most rooms in the office element having large windows and the main circulation area being a roof-lit atrium space. As far as practically possible natural light as been introduced into the workshops and associated spaces. Cambridge University as acted as consultant on the project for the development of the natural ventilation system, their expertise being utilised before on a previous project developed by RCP.
The intended façade greening and green roof will contribute in reducing the energy loss of the building and in reducing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Opportunities for rainwater harvesting an re-use have been adopted, including to assist with irrigation of the façade greening as part of an overall strategy to the scheme to obtain an appropriate BREEAM rating.
Façade Greening:
Façade greening refers to the use of large-growing climbers to cover walls, including for industrial and commercial developments. Large scale applications within the UK are still a new concept, but draw on research in Europe over the last 20 years. Rather than see climbing plants as a late addition the new approach, pioneered in Germany and Switzerland, is to see them as integral t the design concept. The increased availability of tensioned support systems has also increased the options to consider climbing plants as part of the architectural design. The suggestion benefits of fade greening includes:
Private:
a. Visual appeal.
b. Marketing/PR benefit through use of an innovative technology.
c. Increased shading of building and improved insulation:
- Plants reflect light and intercept UV radiation:
- Planting has a cooling effect through transpiration:
- A reduction in daily temperature variation, depending on the area shaded:
- Climbers trap air and reduce wind chill (evergreen species) in winter (reduction in heating demand)
d. Planting helps protect the building surface from heavy rain and UV damage.
e. Façade greening allows adoption of more cost effective surface finishes.
Public:
f. Planting suppresses noise and dust: dust and dust borne pollutants including heavy metals are trapped. Foliage absorbs carbon dioxide, volatile organic compounds and unburnt hydrocarbons from vehicle exhausts.
g. There is a reduction in the ‘heat island effect’ through the cooling effect, and a reduction in convection currents.
i. Façade greening contributes to local and regional biodiversity target in an efficient manner.
j. It provides a habitat for invertebrates, and hence a food source for insects-eating birds and bats. It also provides a conduit between ground level habitat’s and green roofs.
Landscaping:
A high quality landscape area to the frontage of the Centre, provides a landmark on approach to Magna, an attractive setting for the development, and an amenity for workers at lunch time. The bold design incorporates a direct route to the offices, and the existing chimneys. Sculptural elements, including specimen trees and hedges, together with areas of meadow and mown grass have been formed intended to provide an external space to match the striking nature of the building itself. Boundaries to the site are greened using pleached or staked tress, and hedges.