Zip HydroTaps are providing the ultimate in drinking water
convenience to staff and clients at 30 St Mary Axe, often referred
to as the 'Gherkin', in London - the ultimate in architecture on
the London Skyline.
The Gherkin is home to (among others) Kirkland Ellis, a
large corporate law firm on the 22nd floor, representing global
clients. Within its intricately designed atria, several breakout
areas have been specially constructed offering the opportunity for
rest, relaxation and refreshment.
Kirkland Ellis considered various options for
the provision of boiling and chilled drinking water, but felt that
working in such an innovative environment they should consider the
design value of any such products and so decided on the Zip
HydroTap.
The
Gherkin, which has already become visual shorthand for
the Capital and marks an evolution in architecture, is one
of the city's most innovative buildings, both in terms of its
aesthetics and eco-friendly services. The design maximises
daylight and natural ventilation so that it uses 50% of the energy
typically required by a similar sized office block. The HydroTap
sits very well with this rationale since all of its functions are
energy-efficient, designed to conserve power and therefore
delivering cost and environmental savings. Research by Aston
University showed the Zip HydroTap to be up to 40% more energy
efficient than a kettle.
Contractors BPR
Interiors installed BC150/175s, the largest of the
boiling and chilled models and suitable for the provision of
drinking water to up to 75 people. The product can be mounted
either at the side of a sink as in fig.1 or on the specially
designed tap font and drain as fig.2. This means that the designer
has total flexibility when they are siting the HydroTap and can, if
required create dedicated drinks areas.
HydroTap is available as boiling and chilled, boiling only or chilled
only. All are supplied with a sophisticated submicron
filtration system that delivers quality drinking water, removing
bad taste and odour and limiting the effect of limescale. If the
system is used in a hard water area, Zip also have a special filter
that will eliminate limescale completely (up to 3000 litres). There
is a facility to activate a safety lock on the boiling side and
sleep and timer modes that mean the HydroTap is up to 40% more
energy efficient* than a kettle used under the same conditions.
*****
Zip HydroTap Case study no. ZHT/KE/108
Zip Heaters (UK) Ltd, 14 Bertie Ward Way, Dereham, NR19 1TE
Tel: 0845 602 4533 Fax: 01362 692448
E-mail sales@zipheaters.co.uk
The quality of Zip HydroTap is reflected in the quality of
the companies that use them and the buildings in which they are
installed.