“Group C: Georgia Burgin (ORMS), Lauren Andrew (Holmes Miller), Lucy Greenhow (Wright + Wright), Peter Hughes (AndArchitects).
The existing project was the first commercial office complex to attain BREEAM Excellent sustainability rating in 1994. For this project we are aiming to achieve a high environmental standard for the retrofit with Enerphit principles. This has driven the thermal strategy to improve the performance of the existing building. The project promotes the reuse and recycling of materials to reduce the embodied carbon.
As part of the daylighting strategy, the existing blinds within the glazed units have been removed to promote natural daylighting. A patterned metal mesh fixed to the external façade in a variety of ways will be incorporated as the proposal to prevent from overheating. The existing louvres are to be removed and re-purposed to provide the structure for the new shading system.
Due to the solar orientation, each facade of the building has been treated independently to maximise daylighting whilst reducing solar gain. Working with suppliers, the mesh is to be developed to integrate a lace pattern referring to the site’s historical context and Nottingham’s history in the lace trade.
Solar Shading Types
The project has 4 types of solar shading that are outlined as follows:
Type A – Adaptive, Kinetic Shading
For the South Elevation of the building, we are proposing a kinetic solar shading design. We propose to utilise the existing light shelf and have the new shading element fold up underneath this element to keep light entering deep into the floor plan at all times.
Type B - Vertical Perpendicular Fixed Shading
For the East and West Elevation of the building, we propose a mesh side fin type. This is to prevent against the low East and West sun. Shading here may not be necessary for much thermal assistance but will protect against glare during the winter months. As this type will have the largest quantity of elements, we proposed that the mesh system is made off-site and brought on as prefabricated units to be screwed into masonry. There is flexibility for them to be removed in the future to be recycled or reused.
Type C - Existing louvres
The existing half-height window louvres have been removed on the Northern elevation as this façade predominantly receives diffused light. The indirect sunlight will not cause significant glare or overheating, so the existing louvres are only limiting internal light levels. The existing louvres will be removed from all facades, which also allows for visually continuity across the entire building.
Type D – Second Floor Fixed Flush Vertical Shading
The existing second floor facade is made up of recurring groups of 3 elements. The proposal is to remove the whole Element from the centre of each group. This will retain a pattern along the facade with every middle piece changing of each group. We are proposing that the new screen is static and is fixed to the frame on either side of the window to protect users from falling. The proposal is to replace the half height window with a full floor to ceiling window. This will allow for increased light levels and with the fully openable it will allow for ventilation in this space if required for the large lecture rooms here.
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