Sustainability Report

Embodied carbon overview

• The facade is formed from a panelised fibre cement system comprising water, Portland cement, cellulose fibres, and natural minerals. These Equitone panels are described as durable, low-impact, and fully recyclable, with their arrangement optimised to reduce off-cuts and construction waste.
• Internal joinery surfaces are formed from Smile Plastics. Composed of 100 percent recycled materials, they are fully recyclable in the future.

Operational emissions overview

• The project has a BREEAM target of Very Good and has achieved an Energy Performance Certificate A rating. Passive environmental design has informed both the form and detailed development of the building.
• The massing responds to the constrained city-centre site, stepping in height to reduce perceived bulk while improving environmental performance. A compact form with a low surface area-to-volume ratio minimises heat loss and unwanted heat gain.
• Orientation and glazing are balanced to optimise daylight while limiting solar gain. The layout maximises internal daylight penetration, particularly within central recreational spaces. Glazing ratios and orientation are controlled to mitigate overheating risk, which was assessed at the design stage. Windows are set back within deep reveals to provide solar shading, while east-facing glazing at the entrance is shaded by the colonnade.
• The envelope provides high levels of insulation and airtightness. This is paired with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. Windcatchers mounted on the roof support natural ventilation through the sports hall.
• A highly airtight and insulated envelope works in combination with windcatchers for natural ventilation and photovoltaic panels, reducing operational energy demand. The roof-mounted photovoltaic panels provide 20 percent of the building’s energy requirements. These renewable technologies provide flexibility for future decarbonisation as technologies evolve.

Environmental performance and sustainability data

• On-site energy generation: 19 percent
• Annual mains water consumption: 1.82 m³/occupant
• Airtightness at 50 Pa: 3.5 m³/h·m²
• Heating and hot water load: 86.02 kWh/m²/yr
• Overall area-weighted U-value: 0.33 W/m²K
• Annual CO2 emissions: 13.2 kgCO2e/m²
• Energy Performance Certificate rating: A

Service and maintenance emissions overview

• The facade system is described as durable, supporting long-term performance. 
• Materials specified internally are described as robust and long-lasting, supporting longevity in a high-traffic public environment.
• Services are designed to be accessible and adaptable, supported by a Building Management System (BMS) and metering strategy. These allow systems to be monitored, adjusted, and upgraded over time.