Sustainability Report
Embodied carbon
The material carbon values are indicative estimates based on the main material systems shown in the project: steel structural framework, low-carbon concrete floor slabs and foundations, CLT wood panels, recyclable timber façade elements, thermally improved curtain walling, XPS insulation, green roof layers, porous asphalt, rain gardens, and landscape systems. The carbon emissions from material production are estimated at 420 kg CO₂-eq./m², divided by the project’s gross floor area of 8,443 m².
The estimate assumes that the highest embodied carbon comes from the steel framework, concrete slabs, foundations, curtain wall glazing, and insulation. These impacts are partly reduced through the use of low-carbon concrete, locally sourced materials, recyclable timber façade components, CLT panels, Thermowood, durable envelope construction, and an adaptable structural layout that reduces the need for future demolition or major reconstruction.
The carbon captured in materials is estimated at 85 kg CO₂-eq./m², mainly from the timber-based components, including CLT panels and the recyclable timber façade. The project uses a large woven timber outer shell, which contributes to biogenic carbon storage during the building’s life. However, this captured carbon is treated cautiously because long-term storage depends on responsible sourcing, maintenance, reuse, and end-of-life treatment.
No dedicated LCA software or verified carbon database was used at this stage. The estimate is based on a qualitative material assessment and typical embodied carbon assumptions for comparable building components. The calculation includes the main structural frame, concrete elements, timber façade, CLT panels, insulation, glazing, roof build-up, and landscape systems. It excludes detailed MEP equipment, furniture, temporary exhibition installations, café equipment, small fixtures, and transport-stage calculations.
Operational Emissions / Energy
The project reduces operational emissions through passive daylighting, improved envelope performance, efficient servicing, and climate-responsive landscape design. Large skylights and curtain wall areas bring natural light deep into the museum, reducing reliance on artificial lighting during daytime operation. High-performance thermally improved glazing, bird-safe glass, insulated walls, and a compact inner envelope help reduce winter heat loss while controlling solar gain and overheating in summer.
The building also uses energy-efficient HVAC systems and passive solar heating strategies to improve comfort while reducing energy demand. The internal spaces are organised with different ceiling heights and flexible gallery layouts, allowing lighting, ventilation, and heating demand to be adjusted according to exhibition type, occupancy, and seasonal use rather than conditioning the entire building equally at all times.
The green roof, flood-resilient landscape, rain gardens, porous asphalt, and local planting contribute to heat-island reduction, rainwater management, and improved microclimate around the building. These strategies reduce cooling pressure and support long-term environmental performance. Material choices such as Thermowood, CLT panels, low-carbon concrete, and locally sourced components also support the wider carbon strategy, although they relate more directly to embodied carbon than annual operational emissions.
The estimated operational emissions are 18 kg CO₂-eq./m²/year. This is an indicative estimate based on the project’s passive design strategies, high-performance envelope, daylighting approach, and efficient building systems. No dedicated operational energy simulation software or verified carbon database was used at this stage. The estimate includes heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and general building operation, but excludes tenant-specific exhibition equipment, temporary installations, café equipment loads, and unmodelled plug loads.
Service and maintenance emissions
The project reduces service and maintenance emissions through a combination of durable material selection, modular construction logic, and accessible replacement strategies. The main façade is formed from recyclable timber elements fixed to a secondary steel sub-structure, allowing individual timber pieces to be repaired, removed, or replaced without demolishing the whole envelope. The bolted half-spherical steel joint system also supports future maintenance because façade components can be adjusted or disassembled independently.
The building uses a robust steel structural frame, CLT wood panels, low-carbon concrete slabs, thermally improved curtain wall systems, and durable Thermowood façade elements. These choices reduce the frequency of major replacement and extend the building’s service life. Interior gallery spaces use movable wall systems, allowing exhibitions and future programmes to change without repeated demolition or reconstruction. This reduces recurring material waste from fit-out changes.
The green roof and landscape systems are designed as layered assemblies, including planting, engineered soil, filter fabric, moisture-retention layers, rainwater storage, underdrainage, and local drought-resistant species. These components can be maintained or replaced separately, reducing whole-system replacement emissions. Porous asphalt, rain gardens, flood-resilient landscape zones, and heat-island reduction strategies also reduce long-term site maintenance demand.
The estimated service and maintenance emission value is 2.0 kg CO₂-eq./m²/year. This is an indicative estimate only, based on the project’s material and maintenance strategy rather than a full verified life-cycle assessment. No dedicated LCA software or external carbon database was used at this stage. The estimate considers façade maintenance, landscape upkeep, green roof replacement cycles, internal fit-out flexibility, and service access, but excludes detailed operational energy modelling and future tenant-specific exhibition installations.
Afterlife
Yes. The project was designed with long-term adaptability as a central principle. The museum floorplan includes a flexible arrangement of galleries, event spaces, workshop areas, research spaces, café, office areas, terraces, and public circulation zones, allowing the building to support different cultural, educational, commercial, and civic programmes over time.
Several exhibition rooms are designed as adjustable spaces with movable wall systems, so the internal layout can be reconfigured for temporary exhibitions, large installations, conferences, workshops, public events, office use, or community programmes. The generous floor heights, including a 10-metre-high first-floor space for large installations and lower upper levels for more intimate programmes, also allow the building to accommodate changing future uses.
The structural strategy uses a robust steel framework and open-span internal areas, reducing dependence on fixed partitions. This means the building could be adapted in the future from a museum into a design school, cultural centre, exhibition hall, research hub, event venue, creative workspace, or mixed-use public building without major structural demolition.
Yes. Several building elements are designed with disassembly and circular economy potential in mind. The woven outer façade is composed of recyclable timber pieces fixed to a secondary steel sub-structure. The façade system uses bolted custom steel connections, including half-spherical joint components, allowing timber members to be removed, replaced, repaired, or reused without demolishing the whole envelope.
The steel framework, steel columns, castellated beam system, CLT wood panels, curtain wall units, timber façade components, and modular interior partitions all have potential for future disassembly and reuse. The movable gallery walls can be reconfigured during the building’s life and reused in other exhibition layouts, reducing the need for new materials during future changes.
The green roof is also formed as a layered system, including planting, engineered soil, filter fabric, moisture-retention layer, insulation, drainage, and structural support. These layers can be maintained, replaced, or upgraded separately. Overall, the project supports circularity by using recyclable timber, modular façade elements, bolted connections, adaptable interior partitions, and durable structural components that can be repaired or reused rather than simply discarded.