Monday, February 13, 2012

Accoya wood, using Accsys Technologies’ proprietary acetylation technology has been used in the construction of the Bracknell flagship Waitrose store. The store, which opened late last year, is Waitrose’s ‘greenest’ shop to date. The 25,000 sqft store incorporates pioneering new sustainability features that will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by a staggering 80%. The store also features natural refrigeration and is the first to trial innovative biodiversity features such as a ‘living wall’ and ‘bug hotel’.

Accoya was chosen for the timber cladding as the project wishes to achieve “Outstanding” level recognition by BREEAM (British Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). As a high performance and FSC certified timber cladding product, Accoya will help contribute to an improved BREEAM rating and help to soften the design aesthetically. The tenant also required a 50 year warranty for the timber cladding; and Accoya, through its industry leading Class 1 durability, proved the only timber capable.

Vertical random width Accoya boards, supplied by International Timber, were clad to the façade of the store. A 2-coat anthracite grey woodstain was applied with a 10 year coating warranty which was another pre-requisite by the tenant.

Accoya® wood manufactured by Accsys Technologies is the perfect fit for any demanding outdoor application such as timber cladding. Accoya is a world-leading solution; its properties match or exceed those of the best tropical hardwoods. It has been thoroughly tested for dimensional stability, durability, UV resistance, paint retention and in-ground service life to ensure optimal performance.

Tom Robinson, Project Architect for the shell and core of the Waitrose design, said “The new store will help deliver a key part of the town centre regeneration, bringing with it a state-of-the-art building and new jobs for local people. Waitrose remains committed to promoting a green agenda, whether it’s through sustainable farming or sustainable construction. Our new store in Bracknell fully embraces that ethos, we are proud to call it home”.

Justin Peckham, UK, Relationship Manager, Accsys Technologies says “We are proud to have joined forces with Waitrose in promoting the benefits of sustainability and eco-friendly construction. Our philosophy on sustainability is the belief that protecting the environment can result in significant savings. Affordability goes beyond initial costs; lower maintenance costs and an enhanced performance must be considered. This fantastic Accoya-clad store will stand for many years and will be an incredible resource for the people of Bracknell.”

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