Bangor University has elected air distribution and ventilation specialist, Gilberts of Blackpool, to help improve its energy efficiency. The company, which was founded nearly 50 years ago, has diversified enormously over the years and now boasts specialist divisions in everything from grilles and diffusers to tooling and engineering, has become one the UKâs leading HVAC design and manufacturers.
The company was therefore an easy choice for Bangor University which has already invested nearly £50m in its new Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre. The centre has been developed so to join the university with the surrounding community. It houses a public cinema and theatre, and has ambitions to merge the disciplines of art and science with the latest in sustainable technology.
Making use of a wide range of engineering technologies, including renewable power, the building also used almost a third less carbon than buildings of a similar size. Over 90% of the material from the demolished buildings previously on the site have been re-used in the striking new build.
It is during its operational life, however, that the building will excel; it is expected to generate enough electricity to be wholly self-sufficient. The involvement of Gilberts of Blackpool has been critical to such a feat; the company has provided more than 60 of its 75 ventilation louvres, enabling the university to drastically reduce its dependence on both heating and air conditioning.
The louvres have been installed throughout the structure, in its foyer, social learning space, energy centre and theatre workshop space, and are said to achieve a stable airflow of just 5m3/hour/m2. They match the u-value of a double-glazed window and exceed current requirement. In winter, that will prevent a high rate of air leakage, and therefore retain a steady temperature appropriate for education. For the foyer and atrium space in particular, Gilbertâs of Blackpool has installed WPX50 weather-resistant external louvres thus mitigating the risk of operational failures down the line.
In order to achieve the optimum air quality and temperature in both winter and summer, various corss-ventilation and passive stack physics principles have informed the project. The Pontio Arts and Innovation Centre will also make use of night cooling so as further enhance energy efficiency and continue to provide a comfortable working environment for staff, students and the community.
