Low-carbon building specialist, Greencore Construction, has taken office space at Culham Innovation Centre following an increase in residential and commercial property customers seeking to take advantage of significant energy savings gained from eco-buildings.
Founded by Ian Pritchett and Martin Pike two and half years ago, Greencore Construction has doubled in size over the last year. Although Greencore is relatively new, the main team have worked together for many years and were responsible for building the first M&S eco store (located at Cheshire Oaks) and an archive building for the Science Museum at Wroughton.
Closer to home, Greencore Construction is in the process of building five houses at Oxfordshire’s Cumnor Hill on behalf of property company, HAB Housing, set-up by Grand Designs presenter, Kevin McCloud.
Ian Pritchett explains:
“Greencore Construction combines a strong scientific approach with practical experience resulting in the development of our HempCell panelised system. People living in one of our houses can expect to save 80 per cent of heating costs and will be less aware of external temperature variance throughout the year. Our buildings also have improved air quality making asthma and hay fever sufferers far more comfortable.”
Committed to manufacturing in the UK, Greencore Construction has a factory in Worminghall, Buckinghamshrie, and has recently established its Design Office (200 sq. ft.) at Culham Innovation Centre.
Pritchett continues:
“It was important for us to have an office in Oxfordshire as it is centrally located with easy access to London. Culham Innovation Centre was the perfect fit with it being located at a science campus combined with the flexibility to expand at the centre without costly overheads associated with office moves.”
In addition to the construction side of the business, Greencore has a research subsidiary, Hempsec Ltd, set up to participate in an EU funded project. Following further research into Hemp-Lime bio composite insulation, Pritchett aims to franchise his business across Europe and is already in talks with companies in Spain, Holland, France and Belgium.
Greencore Construction is also planning to establish regional factories across the UK to facilitate further expansion.
Pritchett concludes:
“The future is very promising for Greencore Construction and our research subsidiary. Awareness of eco-buildings has increased over the last few years and Oxfordshire is becoming a hub for an innovative approach to green buildings.”
Culham Innovation Centre is located at the heart of the Science Vale and is managed by Oxford Innovation. New and established businesses that move to the centre can benefit from a unique Technical Support Package, provided by Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, making the centre a prime location for any science or technology business.
Sandie Alcock, centre manager of Culham and Harwell Innovation Centres for Oxford Innovation, said:
“Greencore Construction is expanding very quickly and we are able to accommodate their ambitious business growth plans. In addition to our flexible approach, we provide many of our science and technology businesses with administration support, enabling business owners to focus on running their business.”
New Appointment
Oxford Innovation has recently appointed a new assistant centre manager at Culham Innovation Centre. Guy Clifton (pictured) brings a wealth of construction and facilities management experience to his new role and is looking forward to helping science and technology businesses evolve.
Culham Innovation Centre has over 10,000 sq. ft. of office space, lab and workshop space with suites available from 100 sq. ft. and is home to a number of businesses such as Tokamak Solutions and Isis Instruments and has previously supported successful companies such as Reaction Engines and OXIS Energy.
For further information visit about Greencore Construction or Culham Innovation Centre, visit:
www.greencoreconstruction.co.uk
www.culham-ic.co.uk
ENDS
For further information contact Kelly Lea, PR Consultant, KellyLea PR Ltd, M: 07988 195 262, E: Kelly Lea
About Culham Innovation Centre
Culham Innovation Centre is located on Culham Science Centre and offers over 10,000 sq. ft. of office space, lab and workshop space, with suites ranging from 100 sq. ft. to a more extensive area comprising 1,334 sq. ft., with flexible licence agreements available for temporary and long-term agreements.
An Innovation Centre differs from a standard business centre by offering a raft of practical support that proactively encourages the development of start-ups, entrepreneurial and high-growth companies. For further information, visit: www.culham-ic.co.uk
About Oxford Innovation
Oxford Innovation is a leading operator of business and innovation centres that provide office and laboratory space to companies throughout the UK. Culham Innovation Centre is one of seven local centres managed by Oxford Innovation in Oxfordshire. The company also provides innovation services to entrepreneurs, including business-planning advice, fund raising, coaching and mentoring.
About HAB Housing
HAB Housing was established in 2007 by Kevin McCloud. The aim was to show that mass housing could be designed to create beautiful places which maximise the opportunity for people to live happy and fulfilled lifestyles with reduced environmental impacts. HAB, which stands for Happiness Architecture Beauty, has grown from this strongly rooted philosophy, into a growing force in the housing market.
HAB is a business that seeks a collaborative relationship with investors and customers alike. 650 new investors joined the business through a world record crowd fund in 2013. New schemes are pioneering a tailored approach to design that will allow buyers to choose customised layouts and finishes that perfectly suit the requirements of their family and lifestyle.
HAB delivered its first award-winning scheme of 42 homes in Swindon (The Triangle) in 2011. It recently sold all 78 homes on its Applewood development in Stroud and won a CPRE award for its approach to wildlife on site. Applewood was also highly commended by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust’s Nature First Business Awards in the ‘Business of the Year’ category.
HAB is building out its second hemp-based build scheme in Oxford’s Cumnor Hill, with Greencore Construction. It is also on site on the 50-house Lovedon Fields scheme just outside Winchester.
www.habhousing.co.uk
