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UK McDonalds blends modular construction and renewable energy to achieve net zero.
Located in Shropshire, UK, the wind turbine and solar panel powered restaurant (McDonald’s modular constructed) will produce as much energy as it uses, over the course of a year
The project is the first restaurant in the UK to be verified as net zero emissions for construction using the Elliott (also known as Algeco) offsite construction system to achieve the UK Green Building Council’s net zero carbon buildings framework.
According to the UK Green Building Council, the built environment is directly responsible for 25% of the total UK carbon footprint, and therefore creating a net-zero carbon build plays a critical role in transitioning to a low carbon economy.
ABOVE: The modular-built restaurant also features renewable energy to achieve net zero.
As part of the project delivery team, Elliott utilises its modular solution, which features a number of incremental improvements that combine to improve overall performance. Minimising environmental impact and achieving a net zero build were key requirements set out by McDonald’s at the start of the project. The solution includes kitchen, servery, offices, storage, dining area and toilets, as well as the car park and external landscaping works.
80% of the restaurant’s modular construction was completed in the factory before being transported to the site, minimising waste and maximising quality control, efficiency and speed of construction. Once on site, the modules were connected to services and underwent final fit out ready for handover.
As part of a sustainable approach, the building utilises responsibly sourced and recycled materials throughout, further reducing its environmental impact. The restaurant is designed to allow relocation, reconfiguration or recycling, depending on future requirements, and all offsite modules are designed to have a service life of at least 60 years.
Building modules were constructed using a steel framed system, a 100% recyclable material sourced from a UK supplier with certified Environmental Policy Declarations.
Sustainable features include sheep’s wool insulation instead of fibreglass as well as cladding, ceiling, floor and wall tiles made from recycled plastic, a rainwater harvesting system, wind turbine electricity generation and photovoltaic car park lighting complete with battery backup. The kitchen incorporates a heat exchange that feeds into the dining area.
The lightweight steel frame modules minimised carbon intensive foundations and were completed at the same time as the manufacturing of the modules, reducing the build schedule by around half compared to an onsite build.
See: algeco.co.uk
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