MATERIAL CHOICES
the design process where possible. Starting with benchmarking, a rough idea of the aspirations, outline material palette and project abnormals will usually indicate whether it will be possible to meet the most onerous performance or not. We can then optioneer to prove this and track through whole building analysis at key milestones. We recognize that there are always more drivers than carbon so we often group information on material choices into matrices so carbon, cost, aesthetic, buildability and other factors can be weighted. It is rare there is one perfect answer. And we know from our own analysis and industry benchmarking etc that the structure and facade are often the key indicators of meeting one target over another in regards embodied carbon. So in regards to structure there are three key material options, concrete, steel and timber or a hybrid of the two. A decision will most likely be made based on function, clear span, material efficiency and hence cost, speed of construction and potentially embodied carbon. However, as you can see here many of our projects expose the chosen material where we can, for joint aesthetic and efficiency reasons. The IStructE guidance has had a huge influence over the recent years and we are seeing more attention to optimization before specification changes, but this is still a key lever to reducing. In regards facades the situation is more complex as a {34}
case study later will show. We have almost infinite finishes and window configurations but also need to adhere to noncombustibility and thermal performance requirements. Broadly there are some rules of thumb we propose to our teams early on as much of the embodied carbon is still in the sub-framing on most buildings at scale. So, reduce the cladding weight, reduce the use of metals. Where you can use recycled products. And in regards the finish itself, review the replacement cycle and really consider how that will be done. Case Study 1: TEDI CAMPUS Our first case study looks at re-use, modular construction and design for deconstruction. TEDI-London, is an HE engineering enterprise, cofounded by three global universities: King’s College London, Arizona State University and UNSW Sydney. Phase 1 is now complete at British Land’s Canada Water development, constructed from volumetric modules and is designed to be deconstructed at the end of life for further re-use. Phase 2 has used preloved modular frames.
"A decision will most likely be made based on function, clear span, material efficiency and hence cost, speed of construction and potentially embodied carbon. "
The deconstruction is a planned for event as the campus will only be here for up to 7 years but effort was also spent ensuring an overall enhancement of the site and student experience. All materials can be stripped off and separated for use elsewhere. Built in the UK, the building itself took just six weeks to construct once the modular components had MACMAG 48