ABSTRACT
The sustainable tools and techniques employed in office projects across the UK are hugely variable, and often matter of sustainability depends upon one’s definition of the word. But some buildings do more than offer bolt-on accessories, and their entire form, materiality and operation revolves around a sustainable agenda. The architects explored a wide range of technologies, techniques and materials in order to meet terms of the brief, including a range of ‘good practice’, ‘best practice’ and ‘innovative’ systems. The original intention was to employ a timber-based raised floor system for sustainability reasons, but the developer insisted on using a metal composite product to meet institutional standards. By all working to a common set of clear objectives the Trust has been able to achieve a new operational building that meets its operational, financial and sustainability aspirations.’ A further sustainable feature of this development is the generous amount of daylight that can flood through the building, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
