CityAxis Integrated Design Checklist

"Exemplary sustainable buildings do not have to cost more, provided that good passive design features are fully integrated into the design process from the earliest stages rather than tacking on expensive overtly environmental features to fix problems that could have been designed out in the first place.
Good passive design buildings are generally well liked by their occupants and provide healthy and pleasant environments to work in. However, occupants should be provided with some form of simple direct control over their local environmental conditions to make them more accepting of the wider temperature ranges over the course of a year than would be found with air-conditioned buildings."
(http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/environment/guidance/building.html)

Design to:

  • Conserve space.
  • Reduce carbon emission. Create maximum flexibility.
  • Meet all Building Control Regulations (part L, Part F), exceed minimum requirements if possible.
  • Encourage staff productivity and efficiency
  • Appraise organisational requirements, keep company efficient.

Materials, Fixtures and Fittings

  • Buy only from proven sustainable resources.
  • Buy locally where possible to save transport.
  • Choose products made from recyclable materials.
  • Choose low VOC emitting (volatile organic compounds) paint, carpets, Furniture, adhesives.

Manage offlce systems

  • Design and install PIRs to manage lighting systems.
  • Design efficient T points, hot drinks production etc.
  • Use fitting to control waste of hot water in WCs.
  • Create more efficient temperature control.
  • Reduce solar gain via glazing treatment.
  • Place staff near natural light.

Post occupation

  • IT Ensure shut down of electronic systems when not in use.
  • Establish electronic filing, cut down on paper storage.
  • Electronically transmit information.
  • Invest in low heat output equipment.

Recycling

  • Sort rubbish, recycle, paper, plastics, cans etc.
  • Make recycle bins easily available.
  • Make T points efficient for hot drinks etc.

Education

  • Educate your staff to think 'green'.
  • Encourage and reward innovative thinking.
  • Encourage active transport, cycling, public transport.
  • Encourage and reward suppliers who practice 'green' thinking.

Signage

  • Use signage to encourage reduction of wastage.
  • Turn off lights, printing only when necessary.

Future proofing

  • Audit effectiveness of sustainability.
  • Measure energy consumption year by year.
  • Challenge all accepted systems on a regular basis.

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