SME’s can have green buildings too

15 October 2009

Two companies are using their eco-expertise to launch a new generation of fully fitted, sustainable modular buildings to the commercial, education, health and defence sectors.

Eco Estates, based in Leeds’ Thorpe Park, has developed its new range of buildings called Tardis to give even the smallest businesses the opportunity to acquire their own ‘green’ building. Kinnarps UK, the environmentally conscious workplace furniture company, which has a nearby local business centre in Leeds, is working with them to furnish the units. A full-size, fully fitted display building was unveiled at Eco Estates’ Thorpe Park site last week.
Eco Estates’ buildings offer smaller companies and organisations not only the chance to ‘do the right thing’ in terms of the environment, but also the chance to benefit from the kind of quality, green efficiencies and cost savings that are usually only available to larger companies with the benefit of economies of scale.
Eco Estates MD, Jonathan Houlston explains: “The concept was originally born out of developing commercial property for the SME sector. It quickly became clear to us that there is a shortage of high quality accommodation for companies with between one and 19 employees.”
Eco Estates has developed a system of off-site building, using insulated panels, produced from 80 percent recycled materials that have an extremely high thermal insulation rating. The effectiveness of the insulation means that it is easy to maintain a constant temperature. This in turn means that an Eco Estate building can cost as little as £100 per year to heat, representing a huge saving compared to the cost of heating a conventional office, workshop or classroom. The Tardis range is also designed to achieve an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating; the standard used to measure the environmental performance and sustainability of new buildings.
In each of the buildings constructed by Eco Estates, at least 70 percent of the materials originate from recycled sources, with 100 percent of the finished product being recyclable. By constructing the majority of the building off-site, in a controlled environment, Eco Estates is also able significantly to reduce the carbon footprint of their construction.
Steve Walker of Kinnarps UK’s (Leeds) said, “We specialise in providing tailored workspace designs and furnishings, to ensure that the best use of available space is achieved and that workers are comfortable and motivated by their environment. So, we too were concerned when confronted with the statistics on the lack of decent accommodation available for smaller businesses. We have a commitment to the environment throughout our business, so it makes perfect sense for us to work with Eco Estates to help other businesses to do their bit for the environment too.”

Eco Estates ‘Tardis’ Buildings can be supplied fully fitted with Kinnarps furniture, with a design and layout to suit individual needs and taste.