There are other cooling technologies (e.g.

This lower threshold is only achievable by refurbished buildings and timber structures that account for carbon sequestration and design with ambitious low carbon specifications.. Bryden Wood aspires to design new buildings that achieve at least the good practice thresholds shown in Figure 4 and where feasible deliver best practice performance.In order to be able to meet these aspirations, it is necessary to develop a clear strategy for both embodied and operational carbon..

From LETI: graphic showing the range of performance based on benchmarked projects..Comparison embodied carbon targets from RIBA, LETI and GLA.Achieving net zero operational and embodied carbon with lean design and modern methods of construction.

Bryden Wood’s strategy to achieve net zero carbon building is based on the adoption of a clear hierarchy for operational and embodied carbon..In order to substantially reduce operational carbon, our designs will adopt the following hierarchy:.

Be Lean (passive): minimise the use of energy via passive design measures such as optimised form, orientation and window-to-wall ratio (WWR); design energy efficient facades that incorporate thermal insulation, high airtightness, external shading and solar control glazing; use of natural ventilation and thermal mass and design transitional spaces and low thermal expectation spaces.. Be Lean (active): minimise the use of energy via energy efficient lighting (LED, daylight and presence control sensors) and ventilation systems (demand control ventilation, low SFPs, heat recovery); use technologies such as waste-water heat recovery and specify energy efficient lifts and appliances/equipment.. Be Clean: connect to district heating networks that have plans for decarbonisation; explore plans and feasibility of local hydrogen district networks.. Be Green: use onsite low and zero carbon technologies such as air source heat pumps (ASHP), ground source heat pumps (GSHP), photovoltaic panels, solar collectors for domestic hot water and wind generation among others.. Be Smart: implement innovative technologies such as electric batteries, heat storage, post-occupancy evaluation and develop smart-metering systems..

Offset: any remaining carbon should be offset via Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) or recognised carbon offset schemes.Still, as Wood reflects, there isn’t anything ‘utilitarian’ about Circle Reading.

The focus on driving efficiency and achieving value for the client, doesn’t have to compromise ‘the internal environment or the experience.’ On the contrary, this is a building which has been enhanced by it’s practical design ambitions.. ‘Liberated’ is the word used by Theatre Lead, Albert Maswiken to describe the feeling he experiences working within the hospital.It’s a sentiment echoed in a myriad of small and large ways by other staff members, each of whom strive daily to deliver outstanding patient care within this uniquely beautiful, efficient and mindfully designed space.. Circle, whose ethos encompases excellent patient care, best management ideas.

and a culture of partnership, are the official supplier for British Rowing and were named Private Hospital Group of the Year by LaingBuisson in 2015.Still, at first glance, you’d be forgiven for not immediately recognising the building’s function as a state-of-the-art medical facility.