399 Edgware 399 Retail 399 Residential 399 School

Sustainability

399 Edgware Sketch

399 Edgware Sketch

Sustainability Strategy

Environmental Objectives

The key environmental objectives that we have followed in developing the design are set out below. For further information, please refer to Faber Maunsell Sustainability Statement which provides details of the Brent Sustainable Development, EcoHomes, BREEAM Retail and Schools Proposed redit Summary Checklists.

Comfortable and efficient working environment

Human comfort is a complex balance of the following main components:

  • Visual

  • Thermal

  • Acoustic

  • Air Quality

  • Provision for occupant control

Energy Efficiency

  • Minimise energy in use

  • Minimise energy in construction

  • Life Cycle costs/Whole Life costs

Environmentally Sensitive

  • Sustainable Technologies

  • Environmental Audits

  • Minimise Emissions

Renewable Energies

  • Minimise fossil fuel use and consequent CO2 emissions

  • Maximise use of natural light and ventilation

  • Maximise use of renewable energies

Waste and Pollution

  • Design for minimum waste

  • Specify materials for least environmental impact

Water Use

  • Recycle rainwater

  • Conserve water in and around the building

Building form

The following issues will be considered:

Orientation
Optimise the use of seasonal solar gains.

Shape
Limit residential zonal plan depth to 15m maximum to permit cross ventilation.
Optimise heat gains and losses at relevant times of the year.

Retail Atrium with natural ventilation
Daylighting to deeper areas.
Stack effect (thermal flue) to drive ventilation.

Energy and environmental efficiency

The arrangement of the residential blocks, creating courtyards above a multi-storey retail base block, responds appropriately to the environmental constraints set out in section 2 of the report.

By their arrangement under a 45 degree angle to the North and stepping down towards the South and West, each block is able to optimise sunlight penetration into the courtyards, minimise the impact of the buildings on the immediate surroundings and maximise the aspect from the buildings themselves. Balconies will provide both an amenity and environmental control to afternoon sun.

Building Fabric

The building envelope options will be evaluated on a ‘whole building’ basis, in conjunction with the services options to produce an integrated, efficient design. The following issues need to be considered:

The Building envelope performs as a “climate modifier� with the following main design functions:

  • To allow optimum use of daylight.

  • To allow optimum use of natural ventilation where possible.

  • To minimise unwanted solar heat gain in warm weather.

  • To minimise heat loss and maximise the benefits of solar and internal gains in cold weather.

Windows/Shading

  • Optimise window/glazing provision to achieve a balance between the associated functions:

  • Optimise use of daylight (while controlling glare).

  • Permit effective use and control of heat gains and heat losses.

  • Provide natural ventilation where possible.

  • Provide views.

  • Permit occupant control locally where possible.

Insulation

  • Optimise façade thermal performance (to reduce energy requirements and improve comfort).

Air tightness

Minimise unwanted/uncontrolled infiltration. BRE recommended levels for a/c and low energy buildings:

  • Good practice 3.5m3/hour/m² at 50Pa (CIBSE TM23 test)

  • Best Practice 2.0m3/hour/m²

  • Part L 10m3/hour/m²

Materials, detailing and specification

Minimise Waste

  • Design for Prefabrication.

  • Design for standardisation

Minimise Environmental Impact

  • Choose materials with no toxic elements or pollutants

  • Select and specify for least environmental impact

Choose Low Embodied Energy materials

The embodied energy of a material is the total energy (in MJ/kg) required to extract the raw material, in manufacturing, transport, to erect a product on site and the energy required for disposal via recycling or landfill.

The embodied energy of specified materials will be considered throughout the building design; employing passive environmental engineering solutions thus reducing installed building services will help to reduce the building embodied energy. Embodied energy is a significant issue for building products and will be addressed accordingly by the Project Team.

  • Choose natural materials

  • Choose ‘local’ materials

  • Use recycled materials where available

  • Use reclaimed materials from the site where available

  • Choose recyclable materials