Sustainability Approaches
Sustainability is not a one-size-fits-all strategy. Indeed, building environmentally and for the long-term requires right sizing various approaches to the scale and specific needs of your project. Here, we take a look at just some of the many methods we employ in delivering sustainable architectural schemes - From Passivhaus-certified designs, to landscapes that emphasise biodiversity, - we're steadfast in ensuring a greener future is accessible for all. Here are some of our recent case studies.
St Edmund Hall aims to be Oxford's most environmentally sustainable college
The Spencer Building: Achieving Passivhaus Excellence (Opening in 2024!)
The Spencer Building at Corpus Christi College, University of Oxford, is designed to meet the most rigorous Passivhaus standards, ensuring an ultra-low energy special collections centre and work spaces.. This entails minimal space heating needs through ample insulation, elimination of thermal bridges, installation of high-performance triple-glazed windows with insulated frames, maintenance of airtight building fabric, and introduction of a mechanical ventilation system with exceptionally efficient heat recovery.
Read more at Passivhaus Trust >> “Gold-standard extension for world-class collection”
St Edmund Hall: Enhancing Biodiversity
The brief itself emphasised the importance of promoting biodiversity within the scheme, aligning with St Edmund Hall’s commitment to becoming the greenest and most environmentally sustainable college in Oxford. In addition to stringent Passivhaus standards for new construction and EnerPhit principles for retrofitting the existing Victorian villa on site in North Oxford, the project prioritizes the use of sustainably sourced materials with minimal embodied carbon. Moreover, the landscape and ecology strategy will enhance biodiversity, with an impressive 80%+ net gain across the site.
Museum of the Home: Retrofit Transformation
Not all sustainable schemes need to be costly; indeed, reuse and reinvention is often the greenest approach. Consider an exemplary case of retrofit, The Museum of the Home in East London. This project unlocked the potential of underutilised areas within historic alms-houses and gardens By reorganising and transforming the existing Grade I-listed building, the scheme significantly increased exhibition and public space for the Museum. The lower ground floor crypt, previously used for storage, was excavated, and restored to house new galleries. The original brick vaulted ceilings were preserved, showcasing the architectural legacy of the building. This approach goes to show how repurposing existing structures, reducing the need for new construction, and preserving historical elements for contemporary use is both a win for the environment and heritage.
Lambeth Palace Masterplan: Achieving Net Zero (ongoing)
Our ongoing masterplan works at Lambeth Palace will support the Church Commissioners' goal for the Church of England to achieve carbon net-zero by 2030. Collaborating with Arup, the Lambeth Palace Masterplan follows a 'fabric-first' approach, prioritising upgrades to the historic building fabric to minimise energy required for heating and cooling.
Key upgrades include the installation of double-glazed windows and the creation of an Energy Centre, which will help the site to reach net-zero targets by shifting away from fossil fuels and incorporating on-site renewables. The restoration and enhancement of Lambeth Palace's existing interiors will ensure better building performance, reduced energy consumption, and lower long-term running costs.
The Spencer Building at Corpus Christi College
An exemplar of sustainability, a Passivhaus Special Collections Centre increases space, improves access, and safeguards a world-class collection with minimal energy use.
St Edmund Hall
A new, Passivhaus student campus for one of Oxford’s oldest colleges achieves increased accessibility, inclusivity, and biodiversity net gain through a holistic architecture, landscape and ecology design strategy.
Museum of the Home
An award-winning, ecologically-minded design for a community-centric museum stems from a holistic redefinition of exhibition, storage and community spaces, all with no commensurate increase in energy use.
Lambeth Palace Masterplan
A comprehensive masterplan and new Energy Centre repairs and remodels the Lambeth Palace community, reframing its relationship with the public realm and enabling the site to reach net-zero targets.
