Solatube® Daylighting Systems
light new underground eco-cellar

When Nigel Beale, Solatube agent for the southwest of England, received news of an enquiry from The Otter Brewery near Honiton, Devon, he could not believe his luck: “The “Otter” brews some of my favourite ales and I am lucky enough to live and work not far from this superb, family run brewery, hidden among the Blackdown Hills”, he said.

It may seem peaceful on the outside, but down at the Otter Brewery, David McCaig and son, Patrick, are on a mission — the completion of their new 21st century eco-cellar and production facility. Currently nearing completion, it incorporates many features that will help reduce the Otter Brewery’s carbon footprint:

• A living 'sedum' roof which adds insulation to the cellar, and facilitates rainwater capture for the washing of barrels and vehicles
  
  
• Clay honeycomb block walls, which have a low carbon rating, plus excellent thermal and sound insulation properties
  
  
• Over 60% of the ground floor is built underground making the new 'Otter Cellar' cooler, so there is no need for electric chilling systems
  
  

"We needed light, but with no heat gain"

It may be cooler underground but it is also darker, with no natural light – great for otters, but not so good for the work force.  What was needed was a solution that would provide a significant amount of light, without raising temperatures and hence requiring cooling. 

The challenge was also made greater by the 4.2m (14’) ceiling height, with access available only through the wall and hence necessitating piping daylight horizontally up to 6m (20’) along the ceiling and finding a method of suspending and supporting the tubes.  Outside the domes would emerge at ground level, not ideal at the best of times, but also at the bottom of a steep valley, facing almost due east.

Well, if any system was up to the job, it had to be Solatube Daylighting Systems, there was no question of that – no other system would get close to delivering as much light.  Taking in to account such tight constraints only Solatube Daylighting Systems would deliver an acceptable level of light, being the only one available with a 99.7% Spectralight® Infinity reflective tube system.

Working closely with Solatube’s UK head office, Nigel Beale at Common Sense specified the systems and presented a proposal, which was duly accepted.  In this instance, installation was to be carried out by Otter Brewery’s own Facilities Maintenance team.  Follow up visits revealed a very well executed installation and a very satisfied brewery team.

" The Solatubes are as good as we dreamed ..."

“The Solatubes are as good as we dreamed – the brewing team will know what the weather is doing when working underground!”  reports Mary Ann McCaig who feeds the entire brewery team from her fantastic kitchen, based on the farm.

The system was surveyed, specified and supplied by Nigel Beale of CommonSense Lighting, Solatube’s agent in the southwest, based near Chard. He can be contacted on email light@commonsenseuk.co.uk, or via telephone 01460 61824, or mobile 07989 976 010.

Why not take a look at the Otter Brewery web site to find out more about this super brewery www.otterbrewery.com?

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Last updated: 14th June 2010