Sustainable refurbishment of Brittany House
In December 2020, the Trust published its Green Plan, “For a Greener Future”, and declared a Climate Emergency. In the Green Plan, the Trust made a commitment for all new building and refurbishment projects to meet net zero carbon standards. This commitment was exemplified by the refurbishment of Brittany House (the old Norwich Union Building) which was completed to an Energy Performance Certificate B rating, demonstrating the sustainable design approach adopted for the refurbishment.
To ensure the building was developed to net zero carbon standard the following measures were implemented:
- Removing heating oil and radiators and replacing with an air-source heat pump to provide all heating and cooling
- Installation of new double-glazed windows
- Thermal insulation of walls and roof
- Installation of Solar PV Panels on top of the roof
- Installation of new Building Management Systems to help control heating/cooling
- Installation of new LED lighting
These energy efficiency measures were implemented to ensure the building operates as efficiently as possible to reduce energy consumption. The installation of solar PV panels will reduce the amount energy imported from the grid. The high efficiency of the building and generation of energy onsite will reduce energy costs providing more money for the Trust to invest in clinical services. The installation of an air-source heat pump to provide heating and cooling will ensure that when the electricity grid is due to decarbonise in 2035, Brittany House will have carbon emissions associated with building energy, hence the building is developed to net zero carbon standard.
The Trust’s commitment to Net Zero Carbon building development is also demonstrated in the progress of the new Urgent and Emergency Care Facility design, overseen by the government’s New Hospital Programme. The Urgent and Emergency Care Facility will be built in line with the NHS Net Zero Carbon Building published in February. It will also be built in line with the Trust’s bespoke Sustainability Design Brief, which draws on design principles from a range of recognised standards, incorporating Net Zero Carbon as well as occupier wellbeing, to provide a holistic approach to sustainable estate development.
