UCL
SKA Rating Assessment
Project Specs
Client
Greengage & UCL
Size
1,500 Sq Mt
Project
25 Gower Street
Budget
N/D
SERVICE
SKA RATING ASSESSMENT
SECTOR
Higher Education
Location
London, UK
SECTOR
Architect: Hawkins Brown
MEP Engineers: Arup
Contractor: Structuretone
Project Manager: Arcadis
Sustainability Consultant: Greengage Environmental
Brief
We were invited to support the project team to achieve a SKA rating for this modernisation project of UCL. The project delivery was impacted by covid and the original Silver target was not possible but a Bronze rating was within the evidenced performance.
Solution
Our appointment was to support the closing and certifying of the project and it did not include consulting during the design or delivery stages.
SUSTAINABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
Following the pillars of Sustainability, we share some high level and key achievements from this project.
Due to our service scope on this project, we do not have insights on the value and economic pillar. Insights on social and environmental are as follows:
SOCIAL
VOC was monitored during work delivery with 24 readings collected throughout the programme.
Good lighting design was developed in conjunction with efficient energy use for lighting.
Good acoustics were developed with local interventions creating a positive working experience in the workplace areas.
Thermal comfort and aftercare were both well responded to issues.
Environmental
98% of waste was diverted from landfill.
Heat gain through perimeter windows was supported through new blinds which were Cradle to Cradle certified.
Very strong efforts to reduce waste through furniture and fittings specifically took place from early design stages. This included design out waste workshops, setting up a furniture storage facility to enable furniture re-use, both on the project and distributed to other university buildings on campus.
High energy efficiency of light systems and fittings 90% of the timber was responsibly sourced.
