Plot A is a proposed 10,000m2 mixed use development of lab ready offices and retail located in Camden, London. KJ Tait developed an alternative Energy Strategy to comply with the Publication London Plan (2020) requirements for new developments. The original Energy Strategy, developed prior to our involvement, relied heavily upon natural gas and CHP. We developed an alternative strategy that took advantage of the decarbonisation of the electricity supply network and improved the impact on local air quality by reducing local emissions.

Following the Energy Hierarchy of Be Lean, Be Clean and Be Green stipulated in the London Plan, the following measures were implemented at the Be Lean stage to ensure energy use is minimised once in use:

• High performance fabric in line with LETI standards.
• Low air permeability, bettering Building Regulations.
• Glazing solar control balanced between reducing overheating and providing good levels of daylighting.
• Low SFP fan coil units within open plan offices.
• Energy efficient LED lighting with daylighting control.
• Energy efficient fans and pumps.

The Be Lean design measures resulted in a 31% reduction in carbon emissions compared to the Building Regulations Part L2A baseline. This reduction ensured compliance with the Publication London Plan policy of at least a 15% saving through passive measures.

To provide the building’s heating and cooling, a central air source heat pump was selected as a low carbon solution to satisfy the Be Green stage of the energy hierarchy. The heat pump system was designed to form part of an on-site energy network which will serve the Apex and future development plots.

In total, our low energy strategy achieved a 44% saving in carbon emissions from Part L2A Building Regulations, exceeding the Publication London Plan policy of at least 35%.