The Tesco store in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire was the world’s first zero-carbon store. Saunders worked closely with the main contractor to refine construction details and building sequences that went on to be used for future stores.

Built around a sustainable Glulam timber and steel hybrid structural frame, with well insulated larch timber external cladding, the store boasts a large number of environmental features. Large Nanogel roof lights to both sales and back of house areas provide impressive natural light throughout; sun pipes light office areas and wind catchers provide natural ventilation. Rainwater harvesting collection is used for both customer and staff toilet facilities and a combined heat and power unit, fuelled by bio-fuels, services the store. Any excess energy is exported back to the National Grid. The many innovations used saw the building achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘excellent’.

The finished project was described by Tesco Property Services Development Director as a credit to all involved, saying “The store looks stunning with great evidence of both co-ordination and excellent detailing in the design.”