Expectations of the built environment to solve the urgent challenges facing our infrastructure, buildings, communities, and planet have never been greater. The Genuit Group is finding solutions for the challenges we’re facing, creating a more resilient business, society, and planet. Drawing on decades of experience, our intelligently engineered, holistic water solutions aid in the management of water from roof to river.

Case Study: In March 2018, the Vivaldi office building in Amsterdam, a blue-green roof based on Permavoid technology, was proclaimed the Roof of the Year 2017 in an industry award ceremony held in Holland.

The aim of the Roof of the Year Award is to showcase and celebrate innovation and quality within the roofing sector. A panel of six judges, all experts from across the industry, assesses a shortlist of entrants against a series of demanding criteria, namely: aesthetic value, technology, sustainability, the cooperation between the building parties and safe working practice.

A diverse range of 11 projects were shortlisted from across Holland, including a sports complex, a conference centre and a hospital, which between them were all progressive demonstrations of ambitious design and outstanding craftsmanship. It was clear from the shortlisted projects that the deployment of green infrastructure on roofs was a growing trend.

The jury found that the Vivaldi office building project was an excellent demonstration of this progressiveness. They considered it to be an innovative application of dynamic water attenuation on a ‘blue-green’ roof, in which the aesthetically pleasing finished roof also creates a usable outdoor space and extra value for the end-user. The jury recognised the ambition shown on this project, the innovative approach and the technical soundness of the design, which saw this project named Roof of the Year 2017.

Expectations of the built environment to solve the urgent challenges facing our infrastructure, buildings, communities, and planet have never been greater. The Genuit Group is finding solutions for the challenges we’re facing, creating a more resilient business, society, and planet. We are developing new low-carbon heating and cooling technologies to facilitate the energy transition in the built environment for our clients.

Case study: St Dunstan’s Church, Liverpool

A Polypipe underfloor heating system was selected for use in a Grade II listed building.

When St Dunstan’s Church, Liverpool underwent extensive renovation works, it provided the perfect opportunity for the Diocese of Liverpool to consider the building’s heating.

Following recommendations by the Liverpool Diocesan Advisory Committee’s heating engineer, and the project’s architect and historic building consultant Robin Wolley, registered installer P.R. Heating & Gas Services selected one of Polypipe’s water-based underfloor heating systems for use in the Church, which is located in the city’s Edge Hill district. As the church had solid floors in place, the heating engineers had to provide an efficient solution which would have minimum impact on the Grade II listed 19th century building. A low profile Overlay™ system was placed on top of the solid surface, with engineered oak flooring laid on top.

In large, high ceilinged properties, traditional radiators may only increase the temperature of the air around them, with ‘hot spots’ being created near the radiators, while the rest of the space remains unheated. By heating the entire floor area evenly, Polypipe Underfloor Heating provides a comfortable ambient temperature wherever it is installed. In addition to maximising floor and wall space through the removal of radiators, the system may also provide cost savings, due to its ability to operate with an average water temperature of 50°C, compared to traditional heating systems which heat water to 80°C.

In using Polypipe Underfloor Heating to provide an even, ambient temperature within the space, the project’s installers were able to ensure that all areas of the main church hall were heated equally. Crucially, the 18mm depth of the Overlay™ variant meant that the system could be installed over the existing floor, removing the need for expensive excavation works which could have damaged this beautiful, listed building.

Expectations of the built environment to solve the urgent challenges facing our infrastructure, buildings, communities, and planet have never been greater. The Genuit Group is finding solutions for the challenges we’re facing, creating a more resilient business, society, and planet. Building on our track record, we deliver innovative ventilation management systems that ensure the air we breathe is clean and safe.

Case Study: Eastern High School, Cardiff

Eastern High School, invested over £26 million into a new facility in Cardiff, consisting of 59 classrooms, activity studio, open teaching spaces, dining areas and a gym. The new design aimed to achieve a high level of wellbeing and indoor air quality, which will improve the student’s ability to concentrate, as well as the standard at which teachers can perform. The design also had to ensure a high level of energy efficiency as the school intends on having the lowest possible carbon footprint as possible. 

Nuaire’s XBC systems, paired with the natural ventilation was selected as the solution and resulted in a demand ventilation system giving high levels of heat recovery, saving as much energy as possible. This led to the school achieving an Energy Performance Certificate Grade ‘A’ and BREEAM 2014 rating of ‘Excellent’ for its ability to achieve an ambitious level of energy efficiency.

Another major objective for the school was building control, therefore an integral BMS within the building was introduced. Various rooms across the campus have been fitted with natural ventilation, which was designed to be controlled by the occupants of the rooms.