This project stems from a technical performance requirement. In order to achieve the energy efficiency targets and net zero carbon ambitions across our clients portfolio of built assets we were tasked, in conjunction with engineers Hilson Moran, to assess how to best upgrade the building.
A study of whole life cycle carbon emissions benefits of different alternative facade solutions and improvements, including predicted energy consumption, CO2 emissions and embodied carbon perspectives was carried out.
Aside from seeking efficiency within the central plant equipment, options included various versions of re-cladding, over-cladding various component parts and reglazing occupied space and the atrium was examined.
Astonishingly, the conclusion of the feasibility study was that until the “grid” itself was decarbonised by the introduction of more renewable energy sources that the embodied energy required for new materials negated any benefit.
We as a ‘professional team’ demonstrated to our client that a significant project was not appropriate, and therefore the project morphed into a reconfiguration of entrances, repainting and re-glazing.