M&S Ecclesall Road

| Lewis and Hickey

Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK | 2011

M&S Ecclesall Road

Lewis and Hickey

Retails | BREEAM 2008 UK Retail

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This project involved the design and build of a new ‘sustainable learning’ M&S store as part of Plan A. It integrates all aspects of sustainability – climate change, waste, natural resources, fair partnership, health & wellbeing and involving customers in the journey. This store was an opportunity to try new things, invest in sustainable innovations – technologies, processes and systems, and if successful, embed them into the way that M&S does business.

The project set out to exceed planning conditions which stated 10% of the store’s energy needed to come from renewable or low carbon energy. A BREEAM excellent rating was also targeted from the outset.

The design was a collaborative effort between M&S and Wates Retail, the main contractor, who were involved from the start. During the planning process the local community were consulted and sustainable features were incorporated into the design of the building which were received very well by the planners.

AWARDS

Retail business awards 2011– built environment category

RAC cooling industry awards 2011– retail project of the year category

SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES

Hybrid ventilation

Rainwater harvesting

Recycled materials

High efficient lighting

Sustainable sourced timber

Regional materials

Green or brown roofs

Electrical charging point for cars

SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY

ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY

Building orientation/site issues:
The store was built on a brownfield site, previously home to a car showroom and garage.

Transport:
The site included sustainable transport solutions for customers including:-
- Electric car charging points
- LED screen in the store to provide customers with real time local transport information
- Green roofed-trolley and cycle shelters made from FSC certified wood.

Energy Efficiency:
100% of the heating in the store is provided by expelled heat from its refrigeration units
All powered lighting comes from LEDs, using 25% less energy than conventional lighting. In addition, sun pipes bring natural lighting onto the shop floor.
There is natural ventilation in the stock room and staff areas rather than air conditioning
Glass doors on mobile fridges with predicted energy savings of 45%

Water Efficiency:
Harvested rainwater will supply all the toilets and irrigate the store’s ‘living wall’, reducing water usage by up to 40% compared with a peer store. This system will provide in excess of 0.5m litres of water per annum.

Materials:
In order to meet M&S’ Plan A commitment for timber, Ecclesall Road store through Wates, had to achieve full FSC certification. Delivering this required the consideration of FSC at the start, seeking a certified supply chain for the large volume of western red cedar, birch plywood and smaller timber packages. All contractors had to be up-skilled in the detailed reporting requirements to meet the standard and progress tracked throughout the build. The site was successfully audited by BM Trada.

Operations and maintenance:
A post-occupancy evaluation is currently being undertaken.

Waste reduction:
98.2% of soil from the site was recycled and the remainder was treated off site and reused.

Biodiversity:
A sedum roof and green ‘living wall’ will create wildlife habitats, contribute to the insulation of the building and act as a pollution filter.
Bird boxes around the perimeter wall of the site.
62 types of plants species are included on or around the store

OVERARCHING SUSTAINABILITY ACHIEVEMENTS

The delivery of Ecclesall Road demonstrates that by working closely with our supply chain and involving communities every step of the way, you can produce results to be proud of.

By harnessing the latest technologies and looking at how we can truly enhance the environments and community it serves, the store aims to achieve a whole that is worth far more than the sum of its parts.

Ecclesall Road store will enable M&S to create an education programme that will allow us to work towards our goal of creating zero carbon stores. By trialling techniques such as using sustainable materials, considering heating solutions to reduce carbon, looking at transport solutions and considering the whole life of the store, we will use our learnings to create sustainable stores that have a lasting positive impact on the communities they serve.