recent projects

With the promotion of sustainable building design at our core, these are a few recent projects undertaken by our consultants:

Corby Cube Bespoke BREEAM

Southfacing were hired to carry out the Bespoke BREEAM assessment on one of the flagship projects as part of a wider masterplan for the redevelopment of Corby, the multi-use civic hub and arts centre, Corby Cube. Not only does this development house the main council chambers and civic suite, but also integrates the community by providing a library, arts centre, education facilities, a cafe and restaurant. Southfacing are working closely with the Design Team and the BRE to ensure that this complex building acheives a Bespoke BREEAM rating of 'EXCELLENT'.

Central Street Renewable Energy Feasibility Study

This development comprises 270 residential flats over nine storeys, with 4800sqm commercial space on the ground floor for offices, shops, studios and a nursery. The basement consists of car parking, cycle storage and some office space. Southfacing initially carried out an EcoHomes pre-assessment on the project, targeting an 'EXCELLENT' rating. Subsequently, we were asked to carry out a renewable energy feasibility study since the client wished to show a commitment to providing a development with good environmental performance. Results of energy calculations were used to conclude that a combination of ground source heat pumps, wind turbines and solar hot water collectors would most effectively meet the GLA's 10% renewables target.

London Energy Partnership Low and Zero Carbon Toolkit

We are working with the the London Energy Partnership to develop a Low and Zero Carbon Electronic Toolkit. The toolkit will allow building designers, developers and planners to better understand the impact of energy on developments; it will encourage low and zero carbon developments and help achieve their 10% renewable energy target. This project is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and the London Development Agency with support from the Greater London Authority and many other partners.

Office and residential urban development, Camden, London - BREEAM and EcoHomes Pre-assessment

This development was made up of offices, private flats and housing association homes. We were asked to do a pre-assessment by the design team for planning purposes. This involved going through the EcoHomes assessment information and finding a route to a 'Very Good' EcoHomes rating. Our consultants guided the client on decisions based on the development's features and budget constraints. The 'Very Good' rating was comfortably acheived (for both BREEAM for Offices and EcoHomes) with minimum cost implications.

DTI Information Service Missions to Japan, Vancouver and Seattle

Ben Cartmell (a Director of Southfacing) was privileged to be invited on two DTI missions to Japan (2003) and North America (2005) which investigated recent susainable building projects and reported findings back to the UK Government. Both of these missions were led by the INREB Faraday Partnership, based at the BRE and have resulted in published DTI reports.