Building the lower-carbon future

The 2006 Building Regulations are starting to have a major impact on large-scale regeneration projects, as demonstrated by Temple Quay Central in Bristol.Major regeneration work in our large towns and cities provides the opportunity to achieve large reductions in carbon emissions by designing new buildings to meet, or even exceed, the ever-more stringent demands of the Building Regulations. One such development is Temple Quay Central, a waterfront development in Bristol City Centre overlooking the floating harbour, with consulting engineers Buro Happold providing building-services-engineering input for three new developments as part of this long-awaited regeneration in Bristol’s city centre. One of the projects, a large office block, is due to open this July, while two further residential blocks are about to go on site. All are located in the Avon Street area, easily accessible by both rail and road. One project is an office block due to open this summer and which has ‘Very Good’ BREEAM certification. This 6-storey office block, at 1 Linear Park, is located on a remediated brownfield site and totals 4816 m2. ‘It’s the first of three high-profile office buildings in what is set to be the latest and most exciting commercial quarter of Bristol at Temple Quay Central — and an exemplar 21st century office development in terms of both aesthetics and sustainability,’ says Gary Milliner of Stride Treglown Architects, which designed the building. Its services have been designed to be as environmentally friendly as possible, in keeping with the latest legislation, which has a commitment to substantially reduce carbon emissions. The building’s ‘Very Good’ BREEAM acknowledges the various environmental benchmarks it has achieved. It also exceeds the Building Regulations’ carbon specification, with a 28% reduction in carbon-dioxide emissions compared to the Part L (2002) notional building requirements. Thermal and solar gain have both been optimised to reduce the heating and cooling loads. As a result, the heating requirement is minimal, especially due to enhanced building materials and minimal leakage. Solar shading has been installed on the south-facing façade windows to prevent unwanted heat and glare. Similarly, the design has allowed for maximum daylight penetration, and Buro Happold’s building services team used a simulation model to investigate natural light entering the building and propose the appropriate level of artificial lighting accordingly, to avoid wastage. Acoustic design is also crucial to the building services provided, particularly due to the stringent planning conditions imposed to ensure that each building in Temple Quay does not impact on its neighbours — not least in this case on the adjacent hotel. Internal noise limits also achieve the BREEAM requirements. ‘This is a fine example of a modern office block, where lighting, heating and water use have all been minimised due to both design and the materials chosen,’ says Steve Clarke, Buro Happold’s project leader on the development. ‘We’re also delighted with the results our acoustic engineers have achieved in terms of avoiding noise pollution — and a small rainwater harvesting system feeds the green wall and tree planters.’ Another development is the first of the two residential blocks, The Eye, for which work has just started on site. It will rise to 13 storeys and will also boast environmentally-friendly building services. The energy efficiency of the mechanical ventilation system will be greatly improved by the addition of heat recovery to recapture the heat normally lost with the extracted air. Heating and hot water will be provided via central gas-fired boilers, and mechanical cooling will not be necessary. For this tower, Buro Happold also provided structural engineering consultancy, designing a flat slab construction whose reinforced concrete walls will provide ample stability in the face of prevailing winds. Both residential blocks aim for a 20% reduction in carbon emissions, compared to 2002 Building Regulations. Buro Happold is also providing design for a lift system, telecommunications and lighting access, security and sprinkler systems and a smoke shaft. Low-energy lamps are specified, external lighting is controlled by photocells, and the dwellings will be oriented to benefit from solar gain. All habitable rooms will enjoy both natural ventilation options and as much daylight as possible. Water meters and dual-flush toilets will be installed in all apartments. The second apartment block, Affinity, going on site in July, will be six storeys high, with 1000 m2 of retail space, 1000 m2 of office/workshops at ground level and approximately 170 new apartments on the upper levels. Similar services are planned, including heat-recovery ventilation. Heating and hot water will be provided by electric heaters, consequently requiring additional low-carbon technologies, including solar thermal panels, to achieve the overall reduction in carbon emissions. Both residential blocks will be highly airtight, aided by double glazing throughout, and, in accordance with new Building Regulations, will aim for 20% lower carbon emissions than older buildings of a similar size. ‘We are very proud to be part of the redevelopment of Bristol,’ says Steve Clarke, ‘and are delighted to be contributing to the city’s future in a sustainable way.’ Project team: Client: Castlemore Securities Ltd Architect: Stride Treglown Architects (1 Linear Park and Affinity), Glenn Howells Architects (The Eye) Buro Happold services: Building services on all three buildings; building services and structural engineering on The Eye. Acoustic engineering for The Eye and 1 Linear Park. Main contractor: Balfour Beattie (The Eye), Wates (1 Linear Park). Affinity not yet appointed.

Related links:

• www.burohappold.com/

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