| Eco-buildings come in many different forms: | | | | 65% less than similar developments, largely due to a |
| self-sufficient or autonomous structures, self-build, | | | | formation of photovoltaic panels (silicon panels that |
| wooden timbre-framed, cob cottages, traditional mud | | | | collect sunlight and convert it into solar energy) on |
| and stud, to name but a few. Some are high tech, | | | | the roof, which provide 30% of the annual electricity |
| others are low tech and some eco-architecture has | | | | use. Eco-friendly materials, such as PVC-free linoleum |
| even gone underground to conserve heat. | | | | and water based paints were used throughout the |
| Like all good architecture, of course, modern | | | | building. |
| eco-buildings with closely with the climate and | | | | The Jubilee library in Brighton, has become one of the |
| attempt to harmonise with their environment. The | | | | main tourist attractions in the city, not before causing |
| relationship is strengthened by them passively | | | | political controversy with its procurement by the |
| capturing solar energy, rainwater and harnessing wind | | | | council through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) |
| to generate energy that can be subsequently stored | | | | process. Politics aside, the architecture, engineering |
| and used - with surplus energy often being sold to | | | | and green elements are all blended intricately into |
| the national grid! | | | | one; using the cement in the building as an energy |
| Now, the more environmentally-conscious architects | | | | store to either heat or cool the building accordingly. |
| and builders have integrated this eco-concept into | | | | There are also solar-controlled louvres on the vast |
| commercial developments across the UK, more | | | | glass exterior, which prevents the interior from |
| notably in densely populated cities such as London, | | | | over-heating. |
| Birmingham and Manchester, to create work spaces | | | | Archirect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw has found a better |
| that are more "self-sufficient" and "greener" to keep | | | | way to use fish and chip wrapping and old |
| up with the insatiable demand from forward-thinking | | | | newspapers; he's used them as insulation for the |
| businesses. The balance of luxury and sustainability is | | | | floors, walls and roof of the Eden project's offices; |
| now essential, and although still important, previous | | | | making it one of the best insulated buildings in the |
| key attributes of a great view, gym and capacious | | | | country. The structure is also raised off the ground |
| canteen area are further down the list of | | | | on timbre columns to minimise the volume of soil |
| requirements when searching for the right office | | | | removed from the site during construction, and to |
| space. | | | | reduce the amount of cement (one of the most |
| The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) recently | | | | un-eco-friendly products available) required to build it. |
| advised that non-residential properties can achieve a | | | | Although these are ambitious eco-projects, they |
| zero carbon output, providing that onsite renewable | | | | have laid the green foundations for the future. The |
| solutions are employed. There is a cost associated | | | | idea of a sustainable building is by no means a fad, |
| with building to zero carbon. Expenditure varies widely | | | | more a long-term program that businesses, local |
| with both the form and use of a building. Preliminary | | | | authorities and ultimately the government will need to |
| modelling, however, suggests that the premium could | | | | drive forward. |
| range from over 30% down to as low as 5 or 10% | | | | Serviced Office Company are one company situated |
| of current baseline costs. | | | | in the UK that are taking their stance for |
| "We have a challenging, yet realistic timeframe for | | | | environmentally friendly serviced offices. Not only do |
| achieving zero carbon with new non-domestic | | | | they offer exclusive office space in London and |
| buildings," says the UKGBC. "With a trajectory in place | | | | Manchester, they are conscious in making businesses |
| similar to that adopted for the Code for Sustainable | | | | reducing their impact on the environment. To reinfore |
| Homes, then a deadline of 2020 is more than | | | | this ethos, they have recently created and opened |
| feasible." | | | | offices near Canary Wharf; introducing energy |
| This wave of green office development is splashing | | | | efficient heating and cooling systems, automated |
| on other towns and cities across the UK too. A | | | | lighting and water saving devices, with all electricity |
| £50m project was irrefutably backed this year | | | | provided by green energy supplier Ecotricity. |
| by Norwich County Council to turn a neglected area | | | | "We're one of a kind in London," says Simon |
| of land into eco-friendly offices. The council's planning | | | | Eastlake, General Manager. "Our new serviced offices |
| committee supported proposals to demolish a former | | | | in Canary Wharf gave us the opportunity to do |
| electricity board site in Duke's Wharf, creating 1,000 | | | | something really unique and we decided not to |
| new jobs and a site that would include shops, | | | | compromise on anything, especially when it came to |
| restaurants and a river side path. If local authorities | | | | the environment." |
| capitalised on pockets of disused land such as this, | | | | "Companies need to show not only investors but also |
| then would it not gradually improve the infrastructure | | | | employees that they're aware of environmental |
| and environment for the long term? | | | | issues. By taking serviced office space with us, |
| You'd certainly expect the National Trust in Swindon | | | | they're making a very powerful statement." |
| to be located in an environmentally sound building, and | | | | So the future for eco-offices, and eco-buildings as a |
| rather unsurprisingly, they occupy one of the | | | | whole, is certainly bright and green if the changes are |
| greenest offices in the UK. Carbon emissions are | | | | made now. |