The Tredomen Innovation and Technology Centre office development, which has been funded from the European Objective One pot,was awarded the title after employing a number of energy tactics,which included the strategic use of passive ventilation, as recommended for offices by the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers.

Passivent’s solution at Tredomen was to use an enhanced version of the NAT-VENT software package to calculate the sizes of the ventilation components needed to achieve the target air-change rates. The ventilation specialist also took into account the aesthetics of the building,manufacturing special circular roof terminals to complement the oval floor plan design.

Separate extract ducts were taken from ground and first floor rooms, terminating in the combined round roof mounted terminals,each measuring 1670mm diameter and 1600mm high.Passive extract ducts were discreetly sited within the service cupboard to the rear of each office, encouraging a cross flow ventilation path from window openings in the glazed elevations.

Additionally,each office was given an electrically operated, thermally insulated motorised ventilation louvre connected to the PSV ducting.These allow the occupier to control the ventilation air-change rate within the individual office space,via a simple on/off switch.

Circulation spaces are ventilated via motorised windows at ground and first floor level.This doubleopening,single-sided strategy is automatically controlled by thermostat and links to the BMS.

Main contractor Cowlin Construction constructed the passive stack ducting from timber and plasterboard studding along with kerbs to accept the roof mounted terminals.Passivent manufactured 18 insulated motorised louvres with curtain fire dampers and six circular roof terminals,which were installed by approved Mastercare installer, Vent Services.

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