Voluntary Action Leicester’s new £1.5 million premises is so impressive it was the first to receive an Environment City Buildings award. The charity has transformed a derelict knitwear factory in Newarke Street into a green building from top to bottom.
Great thought has been put into every feature of the building, from the solar panels on the roof to its reclaimed wooden floors. VAL decided if it was going to spend so much on a major refurbishment, it should make the Victorian building environmentally friendly at the same time.
Development officer David Joseph said: “We spent about £65,000 on installing green features into the building. But it is worthwhile because the energy-efficient measures will pay for themselves eventually.
“We also felt it was important to set an example as a leading charity in Leicester, Britain’s first environment city. We have so many visitors every year it is a great opportunity for the public to see a green building in action.”
VAL has saved energy on water heating by installing four solar panels on the roof of its four-storey premises. Low-energy lighting, double glazing, extensive insulation and a gas condensing boiler have also helped to cut its fuel bills. “It’s incredible how this building retains heat,” said David. “From when we moved in last April right up until November, the temperature remained extremely stable without any heating.”
All the windows at VAL are made with wood from Scandinavian managed forests, approved by the Forestry Stewardship Council. And instead of ripping up the old wooden floorboards, the charity paid for them to be carefully restored. Natural marmoleum flooring, made from linseed oil, is used in other areas.
VAL’s premises is a shining example of what can be achieved through environmentally-friendly design, but its green goals don’t stop there. It has just installed a rainwater harvesting system which recycles rain from the roof for toilet flushing. And the charity plans to create a “green” roof, complete with a pond, as soon as it can raise enough funding.
For further details call David Joseph on 0116 257 5019 or email david@voluntaryactionleicester.org.uk.
Outstanding environmental features:
Solar thermal system
Rainwater harvesting system
Other green features:
Designated recycling areas, insulation, low-energy lighting, gas condensing boiler, double glazing throughout, designed for passive solar gain, flow restricted tap jets, urinal flushing controls, FSC timber, PVC alternatives, natural floor coverings, recycled materials in building fabric, low VOC-paints, grounds managed to protect habitat.