News Story

November 2011
Low-Carbon Energy Firm Scoops RIBA Award for Sustainability

LowC Communities, the Lincolnshire-based low-carbon energy specialist, has scooped another award for its innovative nursery and community building project in Shefford, Bedfordshire. Named ‘BEST House’ after its owner - Bedfordshire East Schools Trust (BEST), the £2.2m building won the coveted ‘Sustainability Award’ category in the RIBA Bedfordshire Architects Awards 2011.

BEST House is a brand new, innovative building that generates the vast majority of its own electricity, heating and hot water from locally-grown rapeseed oil – resulting in incredibly-low running costs and carbon emissions.

Designed and constructed by LowC, the building was commissioned by Bedfordshire East Schools Trust (BEST) at its site in Shefford, to bring together an existing 20-year-old nursery and provide office and conference facilities for a number of local community organisations.

Richard Griffin, LowC’s founder and chief executive, commented: “We are truly honoured to have been given this award for the BEST House project. Having already won the LABC’s regional award for Best Small Commercial Building and being short-listed alongside the likes of Marks and Spencer for the Edie Awards for Environmental Excellence - this project has grabbed a lot of attention - particularly due to its A-rated, near carbon-neutral energy performance.”

“There’s an increasing pressure on our industry to develop buildings that not only have low-carbon emissions, but are also affordable. I’m pleased to say that the BEST House project delivered on both fronts.”

BEST currently looks after the educational needs for some 6,500 pupils in 25 schools dotted around its mainly rural catchment area. Ian Kite, chief executive of BEST Ltd, said: “This award recognises the fantastic job that the team has delivered for our Trust. We are delighted with the new building and it’s going to help us deliver our aims of promoting the advancement of education and community cohesion.”

BEST House is just one of an increasing number of projects that LowC Communities has recently delivered – utilising innovative renewable energy generation.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Further Press Information
Please contact Tim Ward of Parker Ward Limited.
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LowC Communities Ltd
LowC is a privately-owned company that specialises in the design, construction and operation of low-carbon technologies in the built environment. Bringing together a team with an unrivalled expertise that spans building physics, low-carbon design, sustainable construction, renewable energy supply, operation and maintenance – the company is delivering low-carbon solutions in operation, not just on the drawing board.

Based in Stamford, Lincolnshire, LowC’s clients include: developers, property owners, private investors and government bodies across all sectors – both public and private. They operate in four core business areas: consulting, technologies, construction and energy services.