Sustainability Report
Embodied carbon
The project's embodied-carbon strategy focused primarily on reducing the quantity of high-carbon materials and increasing the use of renewable, wood-based materials. The main structural system uses timber rather than a conventional concrete- or steel-intensive structure. The building has a hybrid construction system based on prefabricated timber elements, with glulam forming the principal structure, timber-frame wall panels containing wood-fibre insulation, and thermally modified pine used for the façade. The staircase and lift shaft are the principal precast-concrete components.
The sustainability questionnaire specifically identifies the extensive use of low-emission, renewable and wood-based materials, together with minimisation of concrete and other high-carbon materials and technologies, as the main embodied-carbon strategy. Prefabrication also contributed to material efficiency. Timber components were manufactured off-site, allowing more controlled material use and reducing construction-site waste. Material selection considered environmental impact, durability, reuse and recycling potential. Other relevant strategies include:
- glulam as the principal structural material;
- timber-frame external walls;
- wood-fibre insulation;
- thermally modified pine façade boards;
- timber window frames;
- plywood interior finishes;
- wood-wool acoustic panels;
- linoleum flooring;
- leaving structural timber exposed rather than adding unnecessary finishing layers;
- mechanical fixing of selected interior components to facilitate later removal;
- prefabrication to reduce construction waste.
Operational Emissions / Energy
The project contains several measures intended to reduce operational energy demand. The compact building form gives an A/V ratio of approximately 0.5, reducing the external envelope area relative to the building volume and therefore limiting heat loss. The envelope was designed with low U-values for the walls and windows. Heating is supplied by a heat pump, while photovoltaic panels on the roof provide part of the building's electricity demand.
Daylight is another important strategy. Extensive access to daylight reduces the requirement for artificial lighting, while motion sensors prevent unnecessary electricity use. The glazing arrangement was developed in relation to solar exposure and the shading provided by existing trees. South-facing glazing was retained because the deciduous trees provide summer shading while allowing solar gains during winter after losing their leaves. Additional operational strategies mentioned in the project information include:
- heat-pump heating;
- rooftop photovoltaic generation;
- high-performance wall and window envelope;
- compact building form;
- daylight access;
- motion sensors;
- passive solar consideration;
- retention of existing trees for seasonal solar control.
Service and maintenance emissions
Several design decisions can contribute to reducing maintenance-related impacts and extending the useful life of components. Material selection considered durability, environmental impact, indoor-air quality, reuse and recycling potential rather than focusing only on initial appearance or function.
The building also uses materials with relatively straightforward maintenance and replacement potential, including exposed structural timber, plywood, linoleum, wood-wool acoustic panels and modular ceiling components. The circular-economy strategy further supports long-term service life. Some components are mechanically fixed rather than permanently bonded, allowing them to be removed and potentially reused. The slatted ceiling uses a modular system that can be dismantled and relocated, while plywood wall finishes are fixed with screws and suspended-ceiling elements are mechanically fixed. The reuse of refurbished vintage furniture also reduces the need for replacement with entirely new furniture.
Afterlife
Flexibility was an important part of the design because the library needed to accommodate different users and programmes, including library activities, meetings, workshops, community activities and NGO events. The multipurpose conference room can connect to the lobby to create a larger event space. Tables can be folded and moved aside, while chairs can be stacked. This allows the same spaces to accommodate different programmes over time. The building was also arranged so that some areas can be used outside normal library opening hours, increasing the functional utilisation of the building. This is best described as programmatic flexibility rather than full adaptive reuse.
The project's circular strategy is selective and pragmatic, rather than based on a fully demountable construction system. Examples include:
Slatted ceiling: based on a modular system that can be dismantled and relocated.
Plywood wall finishes: mechanically fixed with screws instead of being permanently bonded, allowing removal with limited damage and potential reuse.
Suspended ceilings: mechanically fixed and therefore more accessible for future removal.
Main timber structure: visible connections make inspection, repair and potential future disassembly more accessible.
Timber structural elements: the extensive timber construction creates potential for reuse of structural components at the end of their service life, depending on their condition and connection method.
The project also incorporated refurbished vintage furniture, extending the useful life of existing products rather than replacing them with entirely new furniture.
Key products in low carbon design
