The project includes the refurbishment of a Victorian workhouse, known as Southern Grove Lodge, and the development of six-storey apartment block to provide a total of 78 new homes in Tower Hamlets.
XCO2 were appointed to provide energy and sustainability services, environmental assessments and M&E design for the development, which received unanimous planning approval in October 2020. The cumulative CO2 savings on site will be 63.5% for the whole site with SAP10 carbon factors, well exceeding the 45% council’s requirements. Key sustainability features include: protection and enhancement of the existing site’s biodiversity value; the specification of efficient water fittings; and the minimisation of water pollution to surrounding watercourses through an increase in permeable ground, reducing surface water runoff.
The scheme utilises a number of renewable technologies for energy generation, including air-source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels.
Due to the location of the site, within the Tower Hamlets Cemetery Conservation Area, historical replica windows have been proposed as a part of the design to replace existing ones. This created a challenge for XCO2 with regards to mitigating overheating and ensuring thermal comfort. The performance of habitable spaces was assessed and recommendations included: Venetian blinds fitted to western facing habitable rooms; solar control thin film application to windows; natural ventilation strategy; and high efficiency lighting.
