Cross Lanes

Organic Farm Shop & Cafe, Winter 2010

Project Summary

The Cross Lanes Organic Farm Shop & Cafe is a project that was completed in 2010. The centre is based in Barnard Castle, County Durham and was always designed with the focus on it being eco-friendly and promoting a sustainable way of living.

Our team was selected to provide a full mechanical and electrical design service and assist with ensuring that the development could be as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible.

The development is powered and heated by a number of sustainable sources – solar panels, air source heat pumps and a green electricity supplier. The solar panels, which have been positioned on the south facing side of the roof, are used to generate the heat needed to the centre’s hot water. The air source pumps efficiently draw the heat from the outside air and transfer it into the building’s own heating system. This system, along with the rest of the development’s electrics, are powered by electricity supplied by a green electricity supplier.

We calculated the energy performance and carbon calculations of the development based on the power sources being used.

Where necessary we were able to provide a full report and assist in reducing the carbon footprint of the centre and ensure that the systems being used were as energy efficient as possible in accordance with the project vision.

Shaun Ackerley

Managing Directpr, Parsec Consulting Engineers

Innovation In The Countryside

Straw bales insulate the building walls and rainwater is harvested for use in the cafe and staffs toilets. The development has been designed so that there is a little waste as possible and minimal impact on the environment – even the toilet doors and vanity units within the building have been made using recycled plastic bottles.

Thermal Modelling & Carbon Calculations

Completed to ensure that the building will perform efficiently but still comply with statutory building regulations.

Specialist Modelling Software

Enabled us to make sure that Cross Lanes carbon emissions are minimised without compromising the comfort levels for its visitors
Unlike many new developments, Cross Lanes has been designed to make the most of natural or reclaimed materials available. As mentioned, the walls are insulated with straw bales, the thatched roof of the outside toilet has been made entirely out of heather, and the outer walls have been completed using local waste sand stone. With this very clear vision of what the development would be, our team made sure that Cross Lanes would meet compulsory building regulations.

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