Waters View, which is due to fully open to the public later this year, has been named as Ground Source Project of the Year at the National ACR & Heat Pump Awards 2025.
The installation features three 45 kW 350-G Vitocal ground source heat pumps from Viessman Climate Solutions UK.
Built by family-run Derbyshire business, C W Sellors Fine Jewellery, the 2099 m2 centre has been designed with high-efficiency, low-environmental impact technologies throughout. This includes its energy systems, which were carefully considered from the beginning of the architectural process.
A self-sufficient energy eco-system
Three 45 kW 350-G Viessmann Vitocal ground source heat pumps extract natural underground heat via 21 100m-deep bore holes to provide year-round heating and cooling without the need for any gas connection or backups.
They also ensure ample hot water for the centre’s toilets and café and meet most of its power needs, with the remainder supplied by solar panels. CW Sellors Fine Jewellery reports that Waters View has a largely self-sufficient energy eco-system.
With underfloor heating and cooling throughout and no outdoor units above ground, all piping and equipment is concealed from view.
Construction materials, including locally sourced limestone, were specially selected to provide a natural heat sink, minimising swings in internal temperature. This, and the introduction of natural ventilation via a large atrium, were designed to create year-round comfort for visitors and staff at the centre.
The Vitocal 350-G heat pumps were chosen because of their A++ energy efficiency and capability to provide cooling as well as warmth, which is unusual for ground source heat pumps in the UK.
The inspiration to build Waters View came from Derbyshire entrepreneur and CW Sellors founder, Chris Sellors. His vision was to create a national jewellery design, manufacturing, retail and education facility. Sadly, Chris died in September 2023, aged 67, before seeing the project through to completion.
Engineering expertise
David Orsler, Director of Futureserv, the building services consultancy which engineered the building’s prize-winning heating system, said, “We’re delighted that this outstanding project has been recognised with an award. It’s a testament to Chris, who was particularly keen on designing buildings well.
“He also wanted to use ground source heat pumps because they’re so efficient. We designed everything around the Viessmann heat pumps because we needed technology that’s proven to work well, offering heating and cooling in one unit.
“I’ve been to Viessmann’s factory in Germany multiple times and seen first-hand how much research and expertise goes into their heat pumps.”
The Ground Source Project of the Year prize was presented at the National ACR & Heat Pump Awards ceremony on 6 March 2025 at the Midland Hotel in Manchester.
Image credit: Viessman Climate Solutions
