Eco-firms are urged to take part in T&A awards (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Eco-firms are urged to take part in T&A awards

10:50am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Business By David Barnett

If your business is making a positive contribution to planet Earth, then you might be eligible to enter the Environment-Friendly Business of the Year Award category in the Telegraph & Argus Bradford Means Business Awards 2012.

We’re accepting entries now for this year’s awards at the dedicated section of our website, telegraphandargus.co.uk/bradfordmeansbusiness.

This category, sponsored by Pace, is open to all businesses of any size or type which have made a conscious effort to improve the environment.

The panel will be looking for the business which has sought and found ways to minimise the impact of its operations on the environment. Or the business might have made a positive difference to the environment and can demonstrate environmental awareness at every level.

Submissions could include ways in which the local community has been enhanced or protected, details of any green partnerships the firm has forged, and details of best practice adopted to ensure environmental awareness both within and outside the company.

Last year, Rance, Booth and Smith architects won the award. The company, in Victoria Road, Saltaire, aims to design new buildings with an environmentally-friendly approach.

Sustainability manager Caroline Batson said: “We design buildings, and trying to make buildings as green as possible that will have a big impact on the future. It’s something I have been working towards for a long time and it's nice to receive recognition for it, and it's nice to have recognition for it in Bradford.

“It’s something I care about, it's something the company cares about, and obviously if you can design a building that is energy-efficient, it will have a huge impact in the future.”

From the initial design stage, the architects provide a computer-modelling service where designs are simulated for their environmental performance – an approach which is believed to be unique among architects.

Its in-house specialist sustainability team evaluates Solar Analysis, Thermal Performance, Natural Ventilation Simulation, Part L Calculations, Heat Loss and Heat Gains, Life Cycle Analysis, Energy Consumption Prediction, Renewable Energy Analysis and Occupant Comfort Analysis.

Highly commended – Wewow Ltd, of Anne Gate, Bradford; PEC Building and Shopfitting, of Pearl House, Commondale Way, Euroway Trading Estate, Bradford.