PRACTICE: Sustainability; ECA Projects
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"Cullinans took on the project with enthusiasm and demonstrated from the outset a pragmatic flexible approach and a genuine commitment to sustainable design. Cullinans maintained this approach throughout the project, dealing with challenges proactively and in a positive manner making the project a pleasure to work on throughout its duration."
Gemma Bushell, Development Manager, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
The protection of our environment is at the heart of our approach to architectural design.
ECA has, from its foundation in 1965, sought an architecture in which the environmental design forms a vital part of a holistic approach to building production. We collaborate with the best environmental designers and engineers to maintain our commitment to sustainable design and research. An Environmental Management System combines the remits, targets and programme for our approach to sustainable work - in both how we work and the projects we design. We have ISO 14001 accreditation which serves to enforce our commitment to a sustainable lifestyle.
Scroll down to see further sustainable qualities of our projects
2010 - ongoing
Maggie's Centre North East, Newcastle
Low-carbon building providing facilities for people who are directly and indirectly affected by cancer:
Low-carbon building providing facilities for people who are directly and indirectly affected by cancer:
- Large solar PV array on south-facing sloping roof
- Green surrounding planted banks for insulation, increased bio-diversity and well-being
- Heating from hospital CHP plant
- Highly insulated with triple glazing
- Aiming for BREEAM 'Excellent'
2009 - ongoing
Sustainable Masterplan, North East Lincolnshire
Masterplan for a sustainable community development:
Masterplan for a sustainable community development:
- Aiming for Code for Sustainable Homes level 6
- Improved biodiversity
- Attenuation ponds to catch storm water treated on site
- Strong landscape framework of public open space linking allotments and communal gardens
- Extra Care Homes and Affordable Housing for families with shared community facilities
2009 - ongoing
Shahat Garden City, Libya
1500Ha masterplan for a new pioneering, net-zero carbon town in eastern Libya's Green Mountain region:
1500Ha masterplan for a new pioneering, net-zero carbon town in eastern Libya's Green Mountain region:
- Walk-able neighbourhoods with shaded streets
- Natural cooling and low-energy buildings
- Wind farms
- 50Ha of solar power fields
- Greater density for a better urban environment
- Integrated small holdings and wadi farming
- Grey water re-used for irrigation
2009 - ongoing
National Master Film Store for the BFI
Sub-zero building to house the world's most important and largest film and television archive:
Sub-zero building to house the world's most important and largest film and television archive:
- Striking green sloping roof and adjacent planted swales increase biodiversity
- Designed to BREEAM 'Excellent'
- Highly insulated building designed to an overall U-value of 0.1 W/m2K
- Exceptionally air-tight building designed to an air permeability of 0.3m3/hr/m2 at 50Pa
- High thermal mass
2009 - ongoing
Institute For Sustainability, Dagenham Docks
The IFS will provide space for applied research into green technology in a building that will itself demonstrate a very high level of sustainable performance:
The IFS will provide space for applied research into green technology in a building that will itself demonstrate a very high level of sustainable performance:
- Designed to BREEAM 'Outstanding'
- North facing, naturally ventilated, open plan office and research facility
- Seasonal brown roof encourages biodiversity and rain water attenuation
- Cross laminated timber frame and Hemcrete external insulation
- South facing solar wall
- Photo-voltaic arrays
2009 - ongoing
International Institute for Services and Product Innovation, University of Warwick
Latest building for the University following our BREEAM 'Excellent' Digital Lab:
Latest building for the University following our BREEAM 'Excellent' Digital Lab:
- South west facing double-skinned facade to keep builing cool and harvest excess solar gain
- Designed to achieve high levels of natural light throughout, while maintaining a comfortable operating temperature
- Designed to BREEAM 'Excellent'
2009 - ongoing
Building 4, Bristol Harbourside
Last residential building and public realm improvements in the regeneration of the previously contaminated gas works area of central Bristol:
Last residential building and public realm improvements in the regeneration of the previously contaminated gas works area of central Bristol:
- Very large photo-voltaic array to provide energy to common areas and lighting
- Integrate public artwork which demonstrates the reuse of rainwater in a biodiverse riperian landscape
2008
Conservation Campus, University of Cambridge
New campus bringing together the University's facilities for research and teaching of Conservation Studies:
New campus bringing together the University's facilities for research and teaching of Conservation Studies:
- Aims to be the University's first BREEAM 'Outstanding' building.
- North facing, naturally ventilated, open plan office and research facility
- Local species meadow roof
- Super-low embodied carbon building fabric
2007 - 2008
Grove House Development, Notting Hill Housing
New headquarters for one of London's largest providers of affordable housing:
New headquarters for one of London's largest providers of affordable housing:
- Aiming for a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating
- Re-uses materials from the demolished building
- Naturally cross ventilated and day lit, assisted by a wide, central atrium and optimised plan depth to ceiling height ratios
- Naturally cooled by means of exposed thermal mass of concrete structure and soffits
- Night cooled by automated vents drawing cool air over the concrete soffits
- Flexibility (and therefore building lifespan) optimised through floor planning and wide structural grids
- Winter heating loads minimised by insulating well beyond minimum requirements
- Lighting energy loads minimised by motion sensors
- Biodiversity and urban heat island effect improved by expanse of sloping, sedum roof
- Rain water retention improved by storage tanks providing grey water for irrigation and WCs
- Building waste and embodied energy minimised through responsible specification and efficient, prefabrication and standardisation
- Energy loads reduced by compact form and efficient envelope to floor area ratio
2006 - ongoing
Edward Cullinan Architects Offices, Baldwin Terrace, London
Conversion of a 19th Century foundry into our new office and 12 apartments on the adjacent site:
Conversion of a 19th Century foundry into our new office and 12 apartments on the adjacent site:
- Both buildings will exceed the GLA's target of 20% energy use to be supplied from renewable sources
- The office will be naturally ventilated with cross ventilation
- Cooling for the office will be provided directly from the adjacent canal water
- The residential scheme meets Sustainable Homes Code 4
2005 - 2009
Stonebridge Hillside Hub, Brent, London
This mixed-use is a key building in the regeneration of the Stonebridge Estate, incorporating a Primary Care Trust Centre, a Community Centre and residential apartments:
This mixed-use is a key building in the regeneration of the Stonebridge Estate, incorporating a Primary Care Trust Centre, a Community Centre and residential apartments:
- EcoHomes rating of 'Very Good'
- Mixed mode natural ventilation system
- Enhanced thermal performance of the building envelope
- Energy efficient gas condensing boilers
- Triple glazing
- Timber that is FSC or equivalent
- Solar water heaters
- Rain-water harvesting off the roof
2005 - 2009
John Hope Gateway Building, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Built of timber, glass and stone, the Gateway building is a showcase for sustainable design with a range of renewable energy systems and materials. Sustainable methods employed:
Built of timber, glass and stone, the Gateway building is a showcase for sustainable design with a range of renewable energy systems and materials. Sustainable methods employed:
- Biomass boiler
- Thermally efficient ETFE roof lights
- Rainwater harvesting system to flush WCs; solar collectors to provide hot water for washrooms
- Photovoltaic installation and roof mounted wind turbine, which together will provide a portion of the centre's electricity and be used to inform the public about different forms of renewable energy
2005 - 2009
Kew Herbarium and Library Wing Extension
New wing providing additional archive space for Kew's priceless collection:
New wing providing additional archive space for Kew's priceless collection:
- Design achieves BREEAM 'Excellent' rating
- Bore hole based, ground source heat pump provides primary heating and cooling for the buildings' mechanical systems
- Common spaces naturally ventilated
- Concrete frame exposed to exploit its thermal mass
- Orientation of windows optimised to provide good daylight with shading from solar gain and glare
- Western red cedar timber cladding is sourced from Sussex estate and is FSC certified
2005 - 2008
International Digital Laboratory, University of Warwick
State-of-the-art Digital Laboratory to provide an innovative environment for collaborative research:
State-of-the-art Digital Laboratory to provide an innovative environment for collaborative research:
- The University's first BREEAM 'Excellent' rated building
- Exposed structure utilises thermal mass
- Sedum covered roof assists with drainage and water harvesting
- Passively ventilated; areas requiring mechanical assistance connected to an underground labyrinth using ground temperatures to regulate intake of air
- Plugs into University's own campus wide CHP
2003 - 2006
Barge Arm Development, Gloucester Docks
67 EcoHomes Excellent apartments over retail alongside a 4-storey car park serving the regenerated docks fronted by a further 17 flats and 4 commercial units. Sustainable methods employed include:
67 EcoHomes Excellent apartments over retail alongside a 4-storey car park serving the regenerated docks fronted by a further 17 flats and 4 commercial units. Sustainable methods employed include:
- City centre site with excellent infrastructure in historic dock setting
- Highly insulated, beyond Building Regulations requirements
- FSC-certified European whitewood cladding
- Water-conserving plumbing and A-rated appliances
- Covered woodland courtyard to support increased bio-diversity
2002 - ongoing
Canon's Marsh Masterplan, Bristol Harbourside
Masterplan for the regeneration of a city centre site that had lain derelict for more than 30 years:
Masterplan for the regeneration of a city centre site that had lain derelict for more than 30 years:
- Extensive consultation with Bristol people on their vision
- Creation of '24 hour' environment through mixed-use development of residential, workplaces and leisure facilities
- Buildings that can adapt to new uses without the need to be redeveloped
- City centre location allows residents to live within walking distance of their workplace
- Network of pedestrian and cycle routes through the site
- Public spaces that are attractive to visit and be in
- Biodiversity encouraged by retaining historic remnants of the 'sea banks' and providing floating reed beds at their margin (SUDS)
- Voids created by removal of contaminated material used for semi-basement parking
- Re-use of existing gasworks stonework
- External thermal insulation used as predominant cladding material for thermal efficiency and good air-tightness
2001
New Education & Interpretation Centre
Landmark 'green' building designed for the University of Cambridge's Botanic Garden providing teaching and conference facilities and visitor attractions:
Landmark 'green' building designed for the University of Cambridge's Botanic Garden providing teaching and conference facilities and visitor attractions:
- Timber lamella structure - an extremely efficient structural concept
- South facing roof clad in a PV array
- Shape of building conductive to natural ventilation and day lighting
- Rain water storage tank
- Biomass boiler
2000 - 2005
Singapore Management University
New campus in the heart of the cultural and historic centre of Singapore:
New campus in the heart of the cultural and historic centre of Singapore:
- Campus integrated into the activity and circulation of the city - shared sustainable benefits
- Extensive natural ventilation and circulation, open atria and open ground floor
- Breeze ways induce through-ventilation in ciculation and meeting areas
- floors overhang to shade high sun angles
- roof garden trees shade deep courtyard facades
- planted facades to all park elevations for shading
- rain trees retained and transplanted where necessary to shade street facades
1999
GAIA Renewable Energy Centre
Zero energy building for the GAIA Trust. Although unbuilt, this project informed many of our later low energy buildings:
Zero energy building for the GAIA Trust. Although unbuilt, this project informed many of our later low energy buildings:
- Circular protective embankment or insulating bund around building for protection against the elements
- Combined passive and active measures including: hotwater solar collectors to heat underground water storage for heating, roof top array PVs and wind turbine
- Lamella structure sourced from local materials
1998 - 2001
Greenwich Millennium School and Health Centre
Built as part of the Greenwich Millennium Village project for English Partnerships:
Built as part of the Greenwich Millennium Village project for English Partnerships:
- Two-storey south-facing passive solar buildings
- Automatic blinds to shade from solar gain
- TermoDeck used to meet BB89
- Public elevations wrapped in un-treated English larch
- Light shafts to light the rear of ground floor classrooms
1996 - 2003
Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge
Complex bringing together the Pure and Applied Mathematics Deparments:
Complex bringing together the Pure and Applied Mathematics Deparments:
- In top 10 percentile of a Probe study that assessed actual energy performance including occupant satisfaction
- Natural ventilation optimized with night-purging and personal control of windows
- Large overhangs and deep window reveals to shade summer heat
- Central thermal lanterns light and vent the stairs and building core
- Lawn covered roof over the central dining hall creates a raised Cambridge court
1996 - 2002
Downland Gridshell, Weald and Downland Open Air Museum
Widely championed Stirling prize finalist:
Widely championed Stirling prize finalist:
- Very low initial embodied energy in green-oak structure (35x50mm laths) - 3% of that of concrete or steel
- Locally sourced materials including untreated western red cedar cladding
- Earth-sheltered artifact store cooled through passive earth-tubes
- Fully integrated design team included client and carpenters
1996 - 1999
Docklands Campus, University of East London
Low cost, low energy campus as a spur to regenerate north side of defunct Royal Docks:
Low cost, low energy campus as a spur to regenerate north side of defunct Royal Docks:
- Largest UK installation of TermoDeck mechanical ventilation system
- Providing 100% fresh air at half the energy of a conventional academic building and without radiators
- 20,000m³ of contaminated soil treated on site and turned into Type 1 fill and extensive recycling of granite setts and redundant concrete
- Insulation turned out to trap the sun's heat in the soil below the building to provide a cave-like steady state
- Direct access from DLR with strictly limited car-parking
1995 - 2000
Faculty of Divinity, University of Cambridge
The faculty building combines a mixture of teaching rooms, individual offices, common rooms and a double-height circular library:
The faculty building combines a mixture of teaching rooms, individual offices, common rooms and a double-height circular library:
- Natural ventilation, apart from the basement lecture rooms
- Passive design using: high ceilings;
- concrete frame with exposed columns and soffits;
- desk level windows for excellent daylight for study, that occupants can open to suit their needs;
- high level windows for good daylight penetration deep into rooms, with automatic control for night-time ventilation
- fixed sun-shading louvres on public elevations cut down solar gain
- good controls on all services, such as movement detectors for library lighting, to minimise energy consumption
- faculty garden, perimeter planting, and planted roof terraces for amenity and biodiversity
1994 - 1997
Archaeolink Visitor Centre, Aberdeenshire
Uses Rocky Mountain Institute research to provide a no-heat building. The land around is 'folded' to form a sunken courtyard & entrances:
Uses Rocky Mountain Institute research to provide a no-heat building. The land around is 'folded' to form a sunken courtyard & entrances:
- Earth-sheltered building sculpted into the landscape
- Heavily insulated concrete structure for thermal mass and stability
- Devised to support tourist industry in an area of high unemployment
- Insulation turned out to trap the sun's heat in the soil below the building to provide a cave-like steady state
- Awarded Millennium Product status
1990 - 1993
St John's College Library
A new library located adjacent the existing 17th Century library in the shell of the 1888 Penrose Building:
A new library located adjacent the existing 17th Century library in the shell of the 1888 Penrose Building:
- Original brief called for a new air-conditioned deep plan box
- Maximises perimeter for study and natural ventilation within existing building shell
- The climate control system includes a reversible solar lantern in the middle of the building
1987 - 1992
Fountains Abbey Visitor Centre
New visitor centre for the National Trust on a World Heritage Site, designed to inform and hold visitors above the Abbey.
New visitor centre for the National Trust on a World Heritage Site, designed to inform and hold visitors above the Abbey.
- Creates a new approach in the tradition of John Aislabie
- Existing dry stone walls extended as a mini-skin to the lower parts of the building
- untreated cedar glazing and recycled Yorkshire stone roof
1986 - 1990
Ready Mix Concrete Headquarters, Surrey
International headquarter offices in the Surrey greenbelt, set in a landscape of listed buidings, trees and walls:
International headquarter offices in the Surrey greenbelt, set in a landscape of listed buidings, trees and walls:
- New modern offices provide courtyard setting for rejuvenated existing historic buildings
- Natural ventilation for offices optimized with night-purging
- Innovative use of thermal mass of concrete structure for cooling
- Cooling from ground water extracted from boreholes to supplement natural cooling
- The largest green roof in the UK creatively blends an office complex into a green-belt landscape and encourages biodiversity
1982 - 1990
Three Schools for Hampshire County Council
Fleet Calthorpe, Crookham Junior and Farnborough Grange:
Fleet Calthorpe, Crookham Junior and Farnborough Grange:
- Progressive redesign of 1960s system-built schools
- GRP sunshades at Fleet
- Complete recladding with less glazing and first floor rooflights at Crookham
- Full rebuild as passive solar building at Farnborough where light is bounced off lower roof in through clerestory windows
1982 - 1984
Uplands Conference Centre
The first scheme at Uplands for Nationwide:
The first scheme at Uplands for Nationwide:
- Brief for a building fit for 21st Century
- Zero heat south-facing building
- 100% of roof as solar thermal panels
- Massively insulated thermal heat-store
1978 - 1984
St Mary's Church, Barnes
Renovation of a church virtually destroyed by fire in 1978:
Renovation of a church virtually destroyed by fire in 1978:
- Energetic community engagement in decision to restore mediaeval church and build north-facing 20th Century church beyond
- Large timber roof draped over deep timber flitched trusses
- Incorporation of many existing stone elements into the new
- Concerts held in new church at the heart of the community
1967 - 1976
Minster Lovell Mill
Designed to be a residential study centre, specifically a 'Centre for Advanced Study in the Developmental Sciences':
Designed to be a residential study centre, specifically a 'Centre for Advanced Study in the Developmental Sciences':
- Recycled Cotswold stone buildings
- New bedroom wings and conference hall use second-hand stone roofing
- Earth-sheltered riverside rooms
1962 - 1964
Camden Mews
Ted Cullinan's early passive solar design for his own house, now listed:
Ted Cullinan's early passive solar design for his own house, now listed:
- First floor living above the bedrooms to maximise daylight
- South-facing orientation to exploit the sun's heat, with sliding panes of glass protected by over-hanging eaves
- Second-hand London stock bricks for thermal mass and rejected engineering bricks for paving
- Flat roof for growing seedlings for transplanting at Ted's small holding in North Staffordshire