We have recently completed the development of 11 Netherhall Gardens in London for Urbanista Developments. Working with PKS Architects, the design team revisited and extended the previous planning approval to completely re-build the existing property located in London’s Hampstead conservation area to provide nine luxury low-energy apartments finished to the highest standards.
Revisiting planning to gain permission for re-construction of the existing building allowed the building’s energy strategies to concentrate on passive measures to reduce energy demand by improving the façade’s thermal performance, air tightness and glazing prior to looking at active systems.
The apartments are served by a central energy system comprising air source heat pumps, solar thermal hot water and onsite electrical generation from photovoltaics. The challenge was to create an integrated design that delivered high-performance with low-emery demand while remaining sensitive to the demands of construction within a conservation area and the high sustainability demands of the local planning authority. Each apartment is provided with individual mechanical heat recovery ventilation interlocked with window contacts to allow the apartments to operate on a mixed-mode basis.
The passive approach and integration of renewable technologies with a central plant strategy delivered a development with a 20% improvement in carbon emissions over the requirements of Building Regulations Part L1A and a Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 rating.
