Earth Day 2021 - Grosvenor Britain & Ireland
For Earth Day 2021, Wild West End is featuring case studies from our partners on this year’s theme - Restore our Earth. This one by Grosvenor Britain & Ireland is focusing on how an existing building can be transformed to be more sustainable, an important measure in improving urban environments.
Read about how they have set out an ambitious strategy for total refurbishment and extension of an office building at Holbein Place in Belgravia below.
One of London’s most sustainable office developments gets approval
Grosvenor Britain & Ireland has received planning permission for the total refurbishment and one storey extension of a 1980s office building at Holbein Place in Belgravia.
The designs, which focus on retaining the existing 5 storey structure, re-use of materials and introduction of extensive greening, will result in one of London’s most sustainable office buildings.
An early whole life carbon assessment minimised upfront embodied carbon, meaning the development will meet the LETI Pioneer Project embodied carbon target of 500kgCO2/m2.
This has been achieved through the façade retention and trialling new low embodied carbon products including CEMFREE Concrete, Thermalite aircrete blockwork and reclaimed raised access flooring. Opportunities to recycle steel are being explored and cross-laminated timber will be used in the creation of the extension.
The in-use energy efficiency of the all-electric scheme, which was designed by Barr Gazetas, will be enhanced through effective lighting and mechanical equipment, on-site renewable energy generation, blue roofs and sustainable urban drainage systems.
The scheme will contribute to Grosvenor’s goal for all managed buildings to be net zero operational carbon by 2030 and to increase biodiversity in Mayfair and Belgravia. You can read a short case story about 7 Holbein Place here.
Commenting Philip George, Project Director, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland said: “We’ve pushed every opportunity to make this a highly sustainable office environment without compromising on comfort, or the experience, of future occupiers.
“We’re proud that this will become GBI’s most sustainable office building and a benchmark for building adaptation and retrofit in London.”
Please share any ideas for improving western London, or photos of green features and wildlife at: info@wildwestend.london
Partner:
Grosvenor Britain & Ireland