The art of the possible
Designer and self-confessed pen addict Chris Lambert started Wiltshire company ScrawlrBox eight years ago, to inspire artists of all abilities to unleash their creativity. Each month subscribers receive a mystery delivery of high-quality art supplies to try out, with a challenge word or phrase to get them started. Much of their work is proudly displayed on the ScrawlrBox website. ‘The most exciting part is seeing how one theme inspires such a range of ideas in people, all from the same set of materials,’ says Chris.
As the business grew in the UK, Chris didn’t know he would soon be nurturing a global community of eager artists and doodlers. But with worldwide success comes worldwide carbon footprint, and the ScrawlrBox team wanted to do something about the impact they were having on the planet. Their first step was to join forces with Trees for the Future and have a tree planted in Africa for every art box shipped. So far they have invested in 204,175 trees that are busy absorbing carbon and helping give African communities education, income and independence.
So with green credentials as well as costs in mind, when Chris and colleagues embarked on the renovation of their Chippenham premises they wanted to make the old terraced building as energy efficient as they could. The building’s original windows might have been picturesque, but with ancient glazing and no insulation the working day could be a chilly affair in winter and some hard-earned profit was going right out the window.
After talking to Severn Wye, they were able to top up their own investment of £11,330 with Target 2030 grants totaling £4,856. This secured a comprehensive set of measures which helped them improve their own working area on the lower levels as well co-working space on the upper floors. Dealing with the fabric first, ScrawlrBox installed double glazing at the front of the building and some much-needed wall and floor insulation which immediately improved the comfort of their workspace. ‘It’s made a huge difference,’ Chris explains. ‘The basement’s dry but it could be pretty drafty with cold air coming straight up from underneath us.’ The old light fittings throughout building were replaced with LEDs, with motion sensors in kitchen and other communal areas. Finally the dated storage heaters were upgraded to top-of-the-range efficient new models, so the business can still benefit from the night rate on electricity with the confidence that the radiators will hold on to their heat until its needed. Overall the measures are estimated to save the company around £31,600 over the life of the installations.
The old building had a confusing mix of day and night meters which have now been replaced with a single new one, so Chris will soon be able to see exactly how the measures have impacted their energy use. ‘From the improved comfort levels throughout the building though, and the measures we’ve taken, it’s clear we’ve made it more efficient,’ he says. And with nearly 7.7 tonnes of carbon saved every year too, ScrawlrBox is making an artful contribution to the greening of the planet as well as cutting costs.
