A unique new sustainable-energy building, which is heated by natural underground energy sources and has lighting powered by roof-top solar panels, has been built in the London Borough of Enfield, complete with balconies and other specialist steelwork galvanized by Acrow Galvanizing.
Under-floor heating for the highly economical Vincent House development is connected to an electric ground source heat pump. It works by removing heat from water extracted from below ground, using technology similar to that of a refrigerator. This keeps heating/cooling costs for the building down to an absolute minimum.

More than 20 photovoltaic panels installed on the roof also provide sufficient electricity for lighting the ground floor offices inside the building which is due to be officially opened later this year.

Vincent House is a remarkable commercial and residential enterprise between a number of partner-organizations, including Enfield Council, Christian Action Housing Association, Age Concern Enfield, Enfield Citizens Advice Bureau and Ponders End Community Development Trust.

The building incorporates 20 self-contained flats called ëtransitional supported homesí for young people with disabilities (aged 16-25) who want to take the first steps to living more independently. The complex also has offices occupied by the Citizenís Advice Bureau and Age Concern as well as a community cafe and a small garden patio which complete the ground floor facilities.

Saffron Walden-based Acrow Galvanizing successfully carried out the galvanizing of the steel balconies for Vincent House on behalf of its customer, M & G Engineering of Ilford, Essex a division of M & G Construction and a specialist in steel fabrication and manufacturing for the construction industry.

Not only is the landmark new building in Enfield leading the way for low-emissions and sustainable energy in the construction industry, it also incorporates highly creative architectural designs and stylish features in steel and other materials. These are just two of the reasons that Vincent House has been nominated for the Galvanizing Awards 2008, sponsored by the national industry body, the Galvanizers Association.

Steve Barham, General Manager of M & G Engineering said the decision to galvanize the balconies was consistent with Vincent Houseís high-sustainability design: "Galvanizing protects the exterior steelwork against corrosion and deterioration for many years, and is also virtually maintenance-free so it does not require the use of further resources, such as re-painting."

John Nicholson, Commercial Manager of Acrow Galvanizing, commented: ìVincent House is an extremely impressive new development in its own right, and an important step forward in the use of green energy and reducing the environmental impact of commercial buildings.

"We're delighted that the key benefits of galvanizing, namely long-lasting protection and low-maintenance, have been recognized in this way and that we have had a role to play in the creation of this excellent new building."