On Wednesday 6th May 2009, GRAHAM received an award from Action Renewables for the Most Sustainable Building Project Ireland, sponsored by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Action Renewables is the leading organisation in NI in the promotion and development of renewable energy.
The award, presented by Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MP MLA, for our flagship New Head Office, Hillsborough, bears testimony of our ability, not only to achieve sustainable best practice, but also to be leaders in our field in these tough economic times.
Addressing around 70 attendees of business leaders, the Deputy First Minister stressed that renewable energy has a vital role to play in the local economy through the current economic crises. He said that the “Companies and economies that respond positively to the challenge of transforming to the low-carbon model will be the ones who reap the benefits.”
Not yet complete, our new Head Office has already achieved the highest BREEAM rating of Excellent (the international environmental model assessment) for such a development. Notable sustainability features for which the award was won include a Biomass wood pellet heat source, rainwater harvesting, low carbon concrete, orientation to maximize solar gain, natural ventilation and ecological improvement of the site.
Pictured above: Jacqueline Gibson, along with other award winners, collecting the ‘Most Sustainable Building Project Ireland’ Award for GRAHAM.