Designing for Demonstration – Making Plant Rooms a Showcase for Sustainability

At Finn Geotherm, we believe that the best renewable heating systems do more than just reduce emissions — they tell a story.

In the public sector, where Net Zero commitments need to be made visible and justifiable, every infrastructure decision is an opportunity to inspire. And one of the most overlooked places to do that? The plant room.

It may not be the first space a design team thinks about, but when designed with care, clarity and purpose, a plant room can become a living demonstration of your commitment to a greener future.

That’s exactly what we delivered at Kriekels House — and it’s just one of many examples of how we turn technical into transformational.

The Kriekels House Project: Built to Inspire

Kriekels House, the new headquarters and showroom for Jaga UK, was always going to be a space that made a statement. But rather than tuck the plant room away in a corner, the design brief included a bold request: make it a feature.

So, working in close collaboration with Jaga and Collins Design & Build, we delivered a hybrid ground and air source heat pump system that not only heats and cools the building — but stood proudly behind a glass screen, fully visible to staff, clients, and visitors.

Every pipe, every component, every cable run was planned with precision — not just for performance, but for presentation. Because this wasn’t just a system; it was a showcase.

The result? A system that provides simultaneous heating and cooling, demonstrates best-practice renewable integration, and acts as a live training hub for HVAC professionals and students.

Why It Matters to the Public Sector

For local authorities, trusts, universities and other public sector bodies, the case for visible sustainability has never been stronger.

• Demonstrable action on climate targets
• Community engagement and education
• Public trust in spending decisions
• Opportunities for stakeholder storytelling

When your new heat pump system is visible, accessible and clearly explained, it becomes more than just infrastructure. It becomes a statement.

Five Ways to Make Systems Visible

Whether you’re working on a new build or a retrofit, there are smart ways to elevate your heating system from hidden asset to public-facing feature:

1. Transparent Plant Room Design

Where possible, consider glass walls, signage, or viewing panels. Systems that are cleanly laid out and labelled invite curiosity and demonstrate care.

2. On-Site Interpretation Boards

Install simple, branded graphics that explain what the system is, how it works, and what impact it’s having — carbon saved, energy generated, etc.

3. Live Dashboards

Connect the system to a public-facing screen or webpage showing real-time energy performance, savings, and environmental benefits.

4. Community Engagement

Invite local schools, colleges or community groups to tour the system as part of STEM or sustainability outreach.

5. Integration with Visitor Experiences

For venues like parks, theatres, museums or sports centres, include the system as part of the visitor journey. It shows your commitment and adds value to the public experience.

We Design With Storytelling in Mind

At Finn Geotherm, we’re more than just engineers. We’re champions of renewable energy — and we know how powerful your system can be when people understand it.

That’s why we design every project with clarity, quality and visibility in mind. Whether it’s a tidy pipe run, an intuitive control interface, or a data-ready BMS dashboard — we’re thinking not just about how it works, but how it shows the world you care.

If you’re a consultant, project manager or estates lead tasked with decarbonising your estate — let’s make your next project one to be seen.