a new
approach
CArBON CrITICAL
Back to Basics
Just because a high-tech solution exists doesn’t mean it is the
right option. When it comes to achieving long-term cost and
resource efficiency, sometimes keeping things simple is best.
“People often think that for something to in the Department of Engineering at Imperial the Newcastle Business School and the School methods of lighting and ventilation, the easier
be sustainable or innovative it must have College London. “Students won’t expect that of Law Building.“This natural light delivers a it is for that building to be flexible,” he says.
moveable parts and be all ‘whizz-bang’, but – their fees are paying for it after all,” he says. wow factor when you enter the building, but “If, for example, you artificially ventilate a large
that isn’t always the case,” says Atkins’ Natalie “First and foremost, buildings have to be fit for also has practical advantages in reducing open-plan office, it is very difficult to later
Sarabia. Sarabia led the project from 2005 to purpose. There’s little point designing a trendy, artificial lighting installation and energy change that into a partitioned one.”
2007 to create Northumbria University’s City high-tech university if in 10 years’ time it looks utilisation costs,” he says.
Campus East, a landmark development that awful and no longer works properly. Students Sarabia is now working with Thurlow on a Standard fit
36 has won a number of awards for its innovative today are very focused, pragmatic people.” new state-of-the-art sports facility on campus, Careful choice of materials can also help
design. “It’s about using the most appropriate where similar common sense approaches are ensure a building not only meets sustainability
solution, whether that be high-tech lighting or Universally challenged taking centre stage. criteria but lasts longer, and costs less over
simple, common sense,” she says. “There’s no At City Campus East, some of the simplest “We could have used both greywater its lifetime.
one size fits all approach.” design solutions have been the most and rainwater harvesting to flush the Decisions can’t be based on initial outlay
According to Trevor Thurlow, director of successful, for example, when addressing the toilets,” she says. “But as there are plenty of alone, but must factor in building and planning
estates at Northumbria University, issue of solar gain and lighting in the various flat roofs on which to collect rainwater, that regulations, longevity and waste, and whole
sustainability is an issue that’s becoming rooms. As well as finding technical answers is sufficient. If we had also installed lifecycle costs. Sarabia explains: “While there
increasingly important for universities. to the problem – the use of a translucent greywater tanks and all the associated might be a concrete yard just down the road,
“Students are very aware of the sustainability material to diffuse the light, and solar shading piping, it would have worked out less the embodied energy used to make a
agenda,” he says. “Our own experience and to keep buildings cool – Sarabia and the efficient. It’s not about doing something for reconstituted block could be higher than a
the outcome of surveys such as People and Atkins team looked at how each of the gimmick’s sake, but looking at what will natural product, sourced from further away.”
Planet’s league table of ‘green’ universities rooms was being used. actually work best over the long term.” At Northumbria University, hardwood
show that environmental credentials are “We positioned study rooms, in which The fact that low-tech solutions such as skirting from a renewable source made the
becoming more important in influencing there would be a lot of computer use, on the this require less maintenance is a real plus most sense. “It cost more initially, but it will last
young people’s choice of university.” inner side of the buildings, where there for universities. longer and require little maintenance, so the
But, while there’s a temptation is less glare,” Sarabia explains. “Universities tend to be capital rich but total lifecycle costs are lower,” says Sarabia.
to simply throw technology at “Administrative or academic revenue poor,” says Fisk. “So, while they may Where possible, the parts and materials
the problem in order to tick offices were designed on initially receive lots of money to build used in the design were also standardised
the green box, doing so can the outside, where you get something, they don’t have the resources to from one building to the next. Fewer different
actually cost more and be great views of the city.” maintain it. It’s essential that buildings are types of material meant what went unused
less efficient in the long According to Thurlow, financially viable in the long term.” on one site could be used on another.
run. This is something that the benefits of such Another key factor in giving a building Thinking ahead like this is what Carbon
establishments such as features have been both longevity is making it flexible, he adds. Critical Design is all about, says Sarabia.
universities can ill afford. practical and measurable. “A longer-life design means it can adapt “We have to engage with clients such as
Neither do students demand An example of this is the light with the changing ways that we teach, learn Northumbria University and factor carbon into
high-tech facilities, says David Fisk well that pierces the full height of and live. The more natural and simple the the designs right from the start.”
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