Greengage Environmental were appointed to lead the sustainability strategy, which included the production of a sustainability statement, energy strategy, BREEAM strategy and ecology report for the proposed development along the elevated section of the A4 motorway within the London Borough of Hounslow.
The design of this iconic development was progressed to integrate the principles of sustainability from the outset. Despite being a shell and core development, emphasis was placed on an energy strategy incorporating the Energy Hierarchy principles, resulting in a highly energy efficient building. A strategy for low and zero carbon technologies was also developed; this took into consideration the building’s complex structure and the need for flexibility to meet potential incoming tenant’s needs.
The sustainability strategy sought to enhance the biodiversity value of the site, by incorporating green roofs at the ground floor reception, as well as bee ‘hotels’ on the roof of the building. This resulted in the architect adopting a hexagonal ‘honeycomb’ cladding design across the building, hence its nickname ‘The Hive’.
The scheme also achieved a high BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ (despite its shell and core nature) with an aspiration to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. As a result of its iconic and unique design, as well as the high sustainability credentials proposed, the scheme received planning consent.