Highlights
Arc carry out research into healthy building products and are keenly aware of the importance of indoor air quality and the link between relative humidity and asthma and other respiratory problems. Their research with universities, contractors and suppliers is a key part of their approach in providing not just energy efficient but healthy and sustainable buildings and support.
Sponsored by: The William Tracey Group
Arc is an award winning architecture practice that specialises in new ecological architecture, conservation, research, and adapting old buildings to new uses. Their contemporary architecture creates beautiful energy efficient buildings from sustainable materials and enhances old buildings using traditional materials Arc has energy efficiency and sustainability at the heart of their business. This is demonstrated through the services they provide to a variety of individuals including Clients, contractors, students and local people as well as maintaining a high level of expertise in their staff through research and a comprehensive CPD programme. They have a holistic approach to construction and design and carry out research into low carbon buildings and healthy materials.
The business stands out from a traditional architecture practice. This is due to their on-going support and advice to the communities that they work with; both during and after the completion of a project. In addition, they work to a variety of client’s budgets, ensuring that energy efficient and healthy buildings are available to all. Arc has been heavily involved in the North Howe Transition Toun Carbon Reduction in Buildings (CaRB) project. This has been running for a year and its key aims are to make people’s homes affordably comfortable and to reduce carbon emissions.
Arc developed an energy toolkit as part of the North Howe project that is locally focussed and provides information on measures that residents can take to reduce energy use in their homes, saving money and helping to reduce their environmental impact. The project involves a large amount of community engagement work.
The project is also looking at:
- Community scale renewables
- Biomass supply project in partnership with the Forestry Commission
- Biomass district heating system
- Capturing waste heat from landfill gas for community benefits.
Arc carry out research into healthy building products and are keenly aware of the importance of indoor air quality and the link between relative humidity and asthma and other respiratory problems. Their research with universities, contractors and suppliers is a key part of their approach in providing not just energy efficient but healthy and sustainable buildings and support.
The business also conducts research on the impacts of climate change on historic buildings in partnership with Historic Scotland, The National Trust for Scotland and community groups…
In summary, Arc’s service is providing significant socio-economic benefits to local communities, enabling them to increase comfort in buildings and tackle issues such as fuel poverty and work towards carbon neutrality in some cases. Their work, in partnership with other organisations and businesses, on hard-to-treat buildings, historic properties and unused buildings is making a significant contribution to tackling energy efficiency issues in Scotland.
Tom Morton, Principal at Arc Architects commented "We are absolutely delighted with this award, which is a tribute to the hard work of our great team. In the last 2 years we have doubled our turnover and employed three new Architects, which is unusual during a recession in the construction industry. It shows that it is always possible to be successful if you focus on producing really good work and giving an excellent service to clients.’’
The William Tracey Group sponsored the VIBES Service Award 2010. The recycling and waste management company picked up this award in 2008 and 2009. Con Kerwin, Environment Director at The William Tracey Group, said: “The William Tracey Group is delighted to be part of this year’s VIBES awards and to see that the finalists come from a wide range of industry backgrounds. VIBES is one of the annual awards that delivers recognition for the entrants, improves standards, and enhances business opportunities. In these current tough business times this is a timely reminder that business can be successful while continuing to protect our environment for future generations, VIBES acknowledges these achievements.”