Adnams Distribution Centre
Suffolk, UK

Project outline
The project is a highly sustainable new distribution warehouse and office space for Adnams Brewery. They have been traditionally based in Southwold, Suffolk. The new distribution centre is in a disused gravel quarry 3 miles outside Southwold, and will increase Adnams storage & distribution capabilities.
Contract value
£5,800,000
Key features
- Received BREEAM Excellent Rating
- Dynamic compaction used to remediate poor ground conditions. No new materials introduced onto site, increased allowable bearing pressure.
- Long span (35.5m) Glulam beams onto steel frame. Timber beams delivered to site as single units.
- Green Sedum roof construction includes root material and plants on the roof, which improves insulation and reduces rainwater run-off, attenuating drainage run-off. At6,000m² is currently one of the largest green roofs in the UK.
- Lime/hemp blockwork, laid in traditional lime mortar. Low CO2 solution by avoiding use of cement. Lime mortar absorbs CO2 throughout its lifetime in a reversal of the manufacturing process. Lime/hemp infill provides insulation. Straw bale cladding considered early in design.
- Gabion basket retaining wall reduces concrete used.
- Rainwater harvesting collects water which will be used to flush toilets, etc. This system also collects and re-uses water from the vehicle wash.
- On site foul treatment plant. All foul water treated on site and discharged on site.
- Low flush toilets, reduces the amount of water required.
- High specification industrial ground floor slab, very flat and durable.
- No mechanical cooling, warehouse will be cooled by incoming product and insulated by high thermal mass cladding. Offices have glazed south façade with ‘Adnams’ Brise-Soleil and large spaces to allow stratification of warm air in summer.
- 2No solar collector roof panels to provide up to 80% of the building’s requirement for hot water from the sun’s radiation.
- New building predicted to provide an energy saving in the region of 50% per unit floor area, when compared to Adnams
Appointment
- Civil
- Structural
- Planning Supervision
- BREEAM Assessors