The Francis Crick Institute building has now received an
'Excellent' BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental
Assessment Method) rating with a final score of 74%, reflecting our
strong environmental sustainability credentials.
BREEAM is the world's
leading sustainability assessment tool for planning,
infrastructure and building projects. The award reflects
sustainable practice in ten key categories: energy, health and
wellbeing, innovation, land use, materials, management, pollution,
transport, waste and water.
The Crick building was designed with sustainability in mind,
which was achieved by working in close collaboration with key
partners at every stage of the building process. Engineering firm
ARUP designed highly efficient systems to run the building while
minimising waste, working closely with architects HOK and PLP who
designed the building to maximise natural light. Contractors Laing
O'Rourke delivered the building with an emphasis on
sustainability.
The BREEAM assessment was conducted by AECOM, a fully integrated
global infrastructure firm. Sustainability principles were embraced
by the project from early design stages. AECOM, in close
collaboration with the design and client team, worked to develop a
bespoke BREEAM Assessment, flexible and tailored to the building's
unique nature, aiming to promote opportunities for incorporating
sustainable design features.
To keep carbon dioxide emissions low, the building uses an
on-site combined heat and power system. 1,700 square metres of
solar panels are installed in the south-facing roof of the building
to provide renewable energy. In addition, extensive use of glass in
the design allows natural light to flood into the building and all
light fittings are energy-efficient. A specialist ecology team
advised the project, and the building now has high-quality
landscape areas and wild roof 'gardens' to attract wildlife.
Nick Carter, Director of Building Services at the Francis Crick
Institute, says: "We are delighted to receive the coveted
'Excellent' BREEAM rating. This is a testament to our focus on
sustainability and the excellent work of all of our partners who
delivered a truly sustainable cutting-edge building fit for the
future."
BREEAM assessor Sarra Pardali, Sustainability Associate at
AECOM, says: "The achievement of the BREEAM 'Excellent' is the
culmination of a long-term effort and collaborative approach among
designers, client and contractor team. Having been with the project
since the early planning stages, we are absolutely thrilled to have
successfully completed the BREEAM Certification of the Francis
Crick Institute; this project is a showcase for the principles
sustainable development being successfully integrated in a
technologically complex building."
Catherine Wells, Associate Director at Arup, says: "Arup is very
proud to have met the Building Services Engineering and Project
Management challenges in delivering BREEAM Excellent for the Crick.
The creativity and ingenuity in meeting such demanding
environmental requirements and complex building systems is a credit
to the engineering design team."
David King, Director and Senior Vice President, HOK, says: "For
the Francis Crick Institute to receive an 'Excellent' BREEAM rating
is a fantastic achievement, and a reflection of the commitment of
the design and development team to creating a building that
embodies strong sustainability principles and sets new standards
for contemporary design in London. It has been a privilege to lead
a design team so committed to such standards of excellence."
Wayne McKiernan, Director at PLP Architecture, says:
"Sustainability is ingrained into all the buildings we work on,
regardless of size, location or typology. It is not an afterthought
but an integral strand of a holistic practice approach which
ultimately great buildings stem from. With a building such as The
Francis Crick achieving BREEAM Excellent couldn't have been done
without the vision and determined efforts of the entire team from
inception to completion and now on into its operation."
Rob Partridge, Project Director at structural engineering firm
AKT II, says: "Achieving BREEAM excellent is testament to an
integrated holistic design approach which through the use of
intelligent 3D modelling coupled with the implementation of many
innovative design and construction solutions, has created a lean
and sustainable result."
Ross Hanson, Director at Turner & Townsend, who provided
cost consultancy on the project, says: "Achieving BREEAM Excellent
and significantly reducing the Crick's Whole Life Costs for a
facility with such high technical complexity was a fantastic
achievement via a concerted team effort."