Low energy office at the building research establishment Available to Purchase

This building represents a major advance in the design of low energy buildings. It was designed to demonstrate techniques which can be used in future low energy and environmentally‐friendly offices. The building is naturally ventilated and uses its thermal mass to moderate the high summertime temperatures. Water is abstracted from a borehole and used as a very energy‐efficient source of additional cooling for the building. The offices have a high proportion of glazing to make maximum use of daylight, together with solar louvres to limit solar heat gain. Other features are a super efficient lighting system, sophisticated controls, photovoltaic panels and the extensive use of re‐cycled materials.