Energy efficiency - what we can learn from The Gherkin
The Gherkin at 30 St Mary Axe in the City of London, opened in April 2004 and was built with the aim of using 50% less energy than similar sized buildings. The building’s designer, Foster and Partners, installed several innovative features to reduce energy consumption and boost energy efficiency.
Its unique aerodynamic profile creates a pressure differential naturally ventilating internally via open shafts on each floor to reduce the reliance on air conditioning. Air flows internally from bottom to top and is controlled via an automatic window opening system which reacts to temperature change. The double glazed facade and internal blinds reduce solar gain during the summer, and allow solar gain during the winter to heat the building. The 360 degree glass facade and lack of structural columns in the design also lets more sunlight in all year round, reducing lighting costs.
These design features boost the building’s energy performance. However, it’s only recently that tenants have chosen to benefit from these sustainable features, preferring to use traditional air conditioning, heating and lighting. A combination of reasons could be behind this. Competition to let the building meant tenants wanted instantaneous heating and cooling that was offered in similar buildings. Also the open internal ventilation shafts led to concerns over noise transmission and privacy. There was also negativity over a glass panel falling from the building.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reforms and increases in energy costs have changed the building’s perception and appeal with firms such as Forresters moving into the iconic building benefiting form the energy efficient design. It’s expected as perceptions increasingly change, more occupiers will seek out energy efficient property, increasing rents, capital values and reducing voids.
As energy performance specialists, we can help reposition energy inefficient assets and release capital value as owners and occupiers make ESG reforms and opt for more energy efficient buildings. In addition, EPC regulations are becoming increasingly restrictive as of April 2023, which will affect the letting, leasing and sale of commercial property.
By providing EPC testing, retrofitting advice and on-site retrofitting works, we ensure target EPC ratings are met by making sure the correct and most cost efficient combination of retrofitting works are carried out, thereby reducing energy consumption, increasing value and reducing voids.