Tesco, Ramsey in Cambridgeshire is the world’s first zero-carbon store and is a important step in Tesco’s plan to be a zero-carbon business in the future. Built around a sustainable Glulam timber and steel hybrid structural frame, with well insulated larch timber external cladding, Saunders worked closely with the main contractor to refine Tesco’s details and building sequences for this store as well future stores. The finished project was described by Tesco property services development director as a credit to all involved and quote; ‘The store looks stunning with great evidence of both co-ordination and excellent detailing in the design’. The store boasts a large number of environmental features such as large Nanogel roof lights to both sales and back of house areas, providing impressive natural light throughout, sun pipes to office areas and wind catchers to provide natural ventilation. Rainwater harvesting collection is used for the both customer and staff toilet facilities and a combined heat and power unit, fuelled by bio-fuels services the store. Any excess energy is exported back to the national Grid. The many innovations used are expected to see the site and building achieve a BREEAM rating of at least ‘excellent’.