The importance of BREEAM, the internationally recognised measure of sustainability for buildings and communities, has been recognised with 7 out of the 10 projects shortlisted for the Sustainability Project of the Year category having achieved BREEAM certification.
The projects span a range of sectors from hotels to offices, education to laboratories and research facilities. They are The Enterprise Centre, designed by architects Architype for client Adapt and University of East Anglia; 5 Broadgate, designed by Make architects for British Land; Centre for Medicine designed by Associated Architects for University of Leicester; Land Rover BAR HQ designed by HGP Architects; 7 Air Street, London, designed by Barr Gazetas for The Crown Estates; Penarth Learning Community by HLM architects for Vale of Glamorgan Council; and Hub by Premier Inn designed by architects Axiom.
In the creation of these buildings, the projects teams have all strived to embed sustainability through innovative design and procurement. There has been a clear focus on delivering exceptional schemes that look to the future and place emphasis on the building performance and the users well-being. In many instances the way in which these projects have been delivered and their environmental impact and performance will influence the design of many other schemes.
For example, the Enterprise Centre is the first building in the UK to be wrapped in thatched timber cassettes, combining traditional construction with modern techniques whilst 5 Broadgate features a super-insulated primary solid envelope that helps to reduce solar heat gain and helps the building to be almost 50% more energy efficient than the requirements of Part L of the Building Regulations. Elsewhere, 7 Air Street has demonstrated how a 1920’s office building can be refurbished to create a modern office that will save 350 tonnes of carbon per year whilst introducing green lease tenancies designed to encourage occupants to adopt energy saving practices. With an aim to be the most sustainable sports team in the UK, Land Rover BAR have shown that through the creation of a small garden on their site, ecology can be integrated into a project. The garden is now home to 69 new species, compared to eight prior to the development of the building.
“Each of the shortlisted projects has embraced sustainability in a different way and they should all be commended on their efforts to create low energy buildings that respect their surroundings and provide adaptable space for occupants and future generations,” commented Martin Townsend, Director of Sustainability at BRE Global. “The fact that the vast majority are BREEAM certified is testimony to the global position the standard holds and further illustrates BREEAM’s importance in driving innovation and best practice through the application of sustainability.”
The Building Awards are being held on the 8th November at the Grosvenor House, London.
