JT221
Projects that anticipate these changes stay compliant for longer, protecting both value and reputation. At Bourn Quarter in Cambridge, this proactive approach paid
off. The design team set out to create a low-energy, climate- resilient industrial campus, aligning from the outset with RIBA, LETI and UKNZCBS benchmarks. Early input from the team at SRE enabled a 16% improvement in upfront carbon performance against the UKNZCBS 2025 target, saving around 2,770 tonnes of CO2e compared to a business-as-usual approach. These decisions, made at concept stage, avoided later redesigns and delivered measurable long-term gains. Embedding energy efficiency in design and delivery From day one, SRE sustainability specialists applied the energy hierarchy for ensuring effective energy performance and 20 years later it’s still as important as it was then: design lean, make systems clean and then use technology to be green. In other words, optimise your building fabric before sizing renewables or complex HVAC systems. A robust building envelope with effective insulation, high
levels of airtightness, high performance glazing and thoughtfully designed shading, can dramatically cut heating and cooling loads. Tools like Dynamic Simulation Modelling (DSM) and TM54 Operational Energy Modelling enable design teams to test and compare options early, ensuring designs are both compliant and realistic in operation. Passive and bioclimatic design principles remain central
to sustainable architecture. Thoughtful orientation, natural ventilation strategies and effective daylighting don’t just reduce energy demand; they enhance user wellbeing.
Anna Maclean
Closing the performance gap through lifecycle thinking The performance gap – the difference between predicted and actual energy use – remains one of the biggest challenges. Bridging that gap requires whole team collaboration – with the contractor included – and continual onsite monitoring. Digital monitoring tools are also helping. Live energy monitoring and smart metering let building operators and occupiers spot inefficiencies in real time. These insights support cost reduction and help organisations meet their carbon reporting obligations – reducing both Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions. Whole Life Carbon Whole Life Carbon Assessments (WLCA) quantify both embodied carbon (emissions from materials, manufacturing and construction) and operational carbon (emissions from use and maintenance). This allows a design team to make informed decisions that minimise total environmental impact rather than just operational impact. And, as the grid becomes greener, the relative importance of embodied carbon over operational carbon will increase. So again, designing out as much carbon as possible in the early stages is imperative in reducing the overall carbon footprint of a building. From compliance to value creation The industry is going through a fundamental shift, from viewing sustainability as a regulatory hurdle to recognising it as a driver of innovation and value creation. Architects and design teams embracing early integration and whole lifecycle monitoring are creating buildings that quite simply perform better and cost less to run. At its core, sustainability is about intelligent design – using evidence and collaboration to deliver buildings that are efficient and genuinely fit for the future. Embed these principles from the start, and we can move beyond compliance to design buildings that actively contribute to a net-zero built environment and yield stronger financial outcomes.
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