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Additional Information

Sustainable features

Sustainability has been a fundamental design consideration for the building and in summary sustainable features include (evidence of these follow below);   

 

  • Low U-Value

  • Thermally massive construction material

  • Solar shading

  • Naturally ventilated residences and workshop areas

  • Heat recovery on active ventilation systems throughout

  • Pedestrian & cyclist friendly zone

  • Ground source heat pumps

  • Solar panelling

  • 15,000L capacity rainwater harvesting to reduce water consumption.

 

Efficient use of natural resources (energy, water, materials and local sourcing);

 

  • Minimised waste wherever possible throughout construction through careful procurement planning

  • FSC approved wood

  • Energy, reducing demand and efficient supply;

 

Low U-values – all elements of construction insulated above minimum standards, cutting the fabric heat loss and saving huge amounts of energy on space heating

 

Solar shading – To maintain thermal comfort during summer, conventional spaces will often employ air-conditioning systems. To reduce summer cooling loads, Phoenix Square south and west facing facades have been designed to shade glazing, negating the requirement of such energy intensive AC systems. The shading is being provided by both the timber lattice and balcony spaces of the apartments.

 

Ventilation – The innovative solar passive design of Phoenix Square has enabled the application of natural ventilation throughout most of the workshop and residency areas, decreasing the ventilation energy use. To satisfy part F of the building regulations, the residences are being provided with low energy, highly efficient extract fans that produce water vapour in significant quantities (bathrooms and kitchens). Areas such as the cinemas, which demand more controlled and consistent supply of air change have been designated a Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery units which use heat exchangers to retain energy from the extract air, transferring the waste heat to the supply air.

 

Ground Source Heat Pumps – chosen to supply the office space, foyer and public toilets. This energy efficient method of heating will dramatically reduce the carbon emissions compared to natural gas.

 

Solar Panels – will serve a varying part of each residency’s domestic hot water demand. The panels will provide the residences with up to 50% of their total demand, with the other portion being supplied by a community heating system running on natural gas. This localised system will also supply the cinemas with space heating.

 

Water – The principal water conserving feature of Phoenix Square is the 15,000L capacity, rain water harvesting storage tank. The tank will collate rain water and feed the public toilets low consumption wc’s and urinals. Throughout the building all taps, showers and urinals will be complete with built in water restrictors, reducing the water consumption of the residential units.

 

a. Carbon neutral or zero carbon emissions and low levels of waste to land fill sites;

 

  • The Ground Source Heat and Solar Hot Water systems will reduce the fossil originated energy supply and consequently, achieve Leicester City Councils target; 11% of energy supply to come from renewables.

  • The essential aspect of Phoenix Square in relation to emissions, is the energy saving solar passive design, which reduces space heating and cooling demand. The rainwater harvesting system and responsible resourcing of materials will shrink the immediate impact that the development has on raw materials.

 

b. Green travel plan;

 

  • Travel accounts for a large proportion of the UK’s overall contribution to carbon emissions, therefore it has been imperative that when planning Phoenix Square we have given appropriate consideration to the accessibility of the area to its users;

 

Pedestrian access – located within easy walking distance from the city centre, just 2 minutes from Curve.

 

Cycle park – significant and secure bicycle stores will be available for both residents and general users of the site.

 

Public transport – there is a bus stop just 1 minute walk away from the site and is just 5 minutes walk from the train station.

 

Vehicle parking – there will be basement parking available and a drop off bay will be provided to aid disabled access.

 

 

c. Use of BREEAM for EcoHomes and/or Green Guide to specification and other appropriate tools for demonstrating a more sustainably built scheme;

 

  • BREEAM – currently being assessed but looking to achieve Excellent Status

  • Code for Sustainable Homes (CfSH) – achieved level 3

  • Igloo Footprint - Blueprint has adopted Igloo’s Socially Responsible Investment policy, ‘Footprint’®. Recognised by the United Nations as pioneering, Footprint ensures Blueprint’s developments are sustainable, in the widest sense:  that they are well designed, that they are kind on the environment, and that they create great places for people to enjoy, both now and in the future.