Bath architectural design firm Hewitt Studios, which is developing a ground-breaking electric vehicle charging station, has become the first business to have been accepted onto the city’s pioneering sustainable technologies programme.
The Sustainable Technologies Business Acceleration Hub (STBAH), based in the University of Bath’s existing city centre innovative unit, aims to develop more than 130 small and medium-sized businesses over the next three years.
It is the UK’s first business acceleration hub dedicated to helping set up and grow a new generation of innovative small firms in the sustainable technologies sector.
Hewitt Studios, established in 2008 as an innovative, multi-disciplinary design studio specialising in environmental-responsible architecture, product and urban design, has signed up to the business acceleration programme to further develop its K:Port concept, pictured.
K:Port is an electric vehicle charging hub (EVCH) designed to offer safe and sustainable EV charging with integrated cafe/education space.
Partner John Hewitt said: “We are a small, dedicated team with big ideas – the ethos of our business is to offer sustainable solutions for future generations while minimising the impact we are having on the environment.
“When I heard about the STBAH programme I could really see the benefit for the business, particularly for the K:Port concept. To have access to research and academics in the low carbon and sustainable tech sector through the University of Bath is invaluable, particularly for a business of our size.
“I’m really looking forward to engaging with the team and progressing the K:Port concept to the next level with the help of the STBAH programme.”
The project is managed through the University of Bath, Low Carbon South West and the SETsquared partnership and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. It offers businesses within the sector free tailored business support to help with a specific project or venture.
University of Bath project lead Prof Matthew Davidson said Hewitt Studios was a perfect fit for the business acceleration programme as they already had a proven track record in sustainable innovation.
“The programme will offer coaching and tailored business support for Hewitt Studios and the K:Port is a very exciting project which has the potential to be an essential sustainable EV charging hub solution for future generations,” he said.
Low Carbon South West general manger Matt Trudge added: “I have worked with the team from Hewitt Studios at various events throughout the West of England and have followed their progress on various projects and products – they are always sustainable and incredibly designed.
“The K:Port is an exciting innovation on every level and the concept doesn’t just take into account providing infrastructure for charging electric vehicles but also the longer-term benefits of beautiful and thought-provoking design, renewable energy generation and low-impact and reusable materials.
“Its great news that they have been accepted on the business acceleration programmes and I can’t wait to see the K:Port becoming wide spread as part of the urgently required sustainable infrastructure in the UK and beyond.”
The STBAH programme will offer a portfolio of targeted and tailored resources to help high-growth companies grow even faster, and offer workshops for start-up companies with access to investment, customers and research and development grant funding.
Hewitt Studios was named BD Sustainability Architect of the Year in 2014/15 for its “seamless integration of sustainable and architectural design”.
