Fresh air meets first-class design at the National Gemstone Centre
Set against the serene landscape of Derbyshire’s Carsington Reservoir, the National Gemstone Centre is a striking addition to the UK’s architectural landscape. Conceived by renowned jewellers C.W. Sellors, the centre is much more than a retail space — it is a hub for learning, manufacturing, and showcasing fine jewellery, all housed in a building that reflects harmony with its natural surroundings. Designed by award-winning architects Evans Vettori, the building reflects a deep sensitivity to its environment. Timber cladding, expansive glazing, and low-impact materials echo the rural setting, while ensuring the structure leaves a minimal environmental footprint. This commitment to sustainable design also shaped the approach to indoor climate control — a crucial component for both human comfort and operational safety.
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As a family-run business with deep roots in Derbyshire, C.W. Sellors sought to create a building that would resonate with the local landscape and community. The design brief centred on three clear ambitions:
- Promote energy efficiency and reduce operational impact
- Enhance health and wellbeing for both staff and visitors
- Respect and complement the natural setting of the Carsington countryside
To realise these ambitions, every aspect of the project was carefully considered — not only in structure and materials but in the systems supporting the building’s daily operation. This included a clear focus on fresh air and natural ventilation.
Tailored natural ventilation for mixed-use environments
Given the diversity of spaces — from manufacturing zones using ammonia-based chemicals to quiet retail showrooms — the ventilation strategy needed to deliver fresh air in a controlled, responsive way. Recognising that a purely passive system would be insufficient for the centre’s dynamic environment, WindowMaster was brought in to develop a more advanced solution. Working closely with Evans Vettori and C.W. Sellors, WindowMaster designed a system that combined automated natural ventilation with advanced monitoring and control capabilities — enhancing both safety and comfort.
“To enable control of the high-level clerestory glazing in the central atrium space, the project required fully-automatic actuators to be discretely integrated into the frames. The WindowMaster system fulfilled the brief and the MotorLink® technology enabled a connection to the BMS for synchronised operation and feedback.”
John Evans
Architect, Evans Vettori
Intelligent controls for clean, precise airflow
At the core of the solution are six WMX 826-1 actuators, strategically placed to allow high-level clerestory windows to open and close with millimetre precision. These actuators respond to indoor air quality sensors monitoring CO₂, temperature, and humidity, ensuring consistent airflow while avoiding over-ventilation. The actuators are operated using WindowMaster’s MotorLink® technology, which offers smooth, silent window control with real-time feedback and full integration into the building’s BMS (Building Management System). To ensure safe air quality in manufacturing areas, where acid and ammonia-based substances are used, the system provides fast, automated removal of airborne pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). For added flexibility, the system is managed via NV Embedded®, a decentralised cloud-based control platform offering real-time indoor climate management.
Healthier environments and lasting impact
With the new system in place, the National Gemstone Centre benefits from:
- Improved indoor air quality (IAQ) to support wellbeing and alertness
- Energy-efficient ventilation using ambient air, reducing reliance on mechanical cooling
- Seamless integration with the building’s BMS for intelligent, automated operation
- A safe working environment with effective VOC removal in production areas
By enabling a smooth flow of clean air from the Derbyshire countryside indoors, WindowMaster’s natural ventilation solution enhances the Centre’s mission to connect craftsmanship with nature — all while minimising environmental impact.
“With such beautiful surroundings, it was important for this building to capture a sense of nature by involving the surrounding open countryside. Thanks to WindowMaster’s NV Embedded® Control system, the building occupants will have controlled clean fresh air, helping them stay alert & comfortable.”
David Brown
WindowMaster’s Sales Director - UK&IE