Sustainability Report
Certificates
Embodied carbon
Techrete produced 795 precast concrete panels off-site, covering 16,360 square metres of the facade. These panels utilise low-carbon, slow-curing concrete with high cement-replacement fuel ash. Designed for a minimum 60-year lifespan, these concrete panels support longevity and reduce future material consumption.
The building incorporates 40 percent ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) in its structure and 70 percent in its piles, resulting in an average of approximately 50 percent cement replacement.
Spacestor uses FSC-certified wood and its storage products have Declare labels. Developed by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), this label provides relevant information about a product’s sustainability, including ingredients, VOC content, life expectancy, and manufacturer transparency. Spacestor’s products are manufactured locally in a factory powered by a biomass boiler, which uses waste from manufacturing to heat the facility.
The UCL Sustainable Building Standard aims to reduce embodied carbon by 40 percent or less, with a target of <500 kgCO2/m2 for the superstructure and substructure. UCL East Marshgate was explicitly designed to align with this. According to LETI (London Energy Transformation Initiative), in 2025, 500–600 kgCO2e/m2 is considered “good” for education buildings.
Operational Emissions / Energy
Passive environmental strategies
- The thermal mass of exposed concrete regulates indoor temperatures passively, reducing the reliance on mechanical heating and cooling.
- Deep-set operable windows maximise natural daylighting and ventilation, enhancing user comfort and reducing energy demand.
- The facade composition and building orientation are designed to respond to the sun’s path and wind patterns.
Designed in partnership with Arup, the building incorporates energy-efficient MEP systems and smart controls for lighting and ventilation.
The UCL site is powered by 100 percent renewable energy, supporting both the construction phase and UCL’s ongoing all-electric building operations.
A pedestrian-focused master plan promotes walking, cycling, and public transport use.
Key products in low carbon design
