Amid the climate crisis, the construction industry is embracing a transformative shift towards sustainability. What was once a niche endeavour has now become a cornerstone of a brighter future. At Quartz, we are committed to combatting climate change, and using our position as project leaders to be at the forefront of helping our clients to adopt low carbon approaches to construction. This article delves into the practices driving green construction projects in the UK, covering sustainable materials, certifications, carbon reduction, refurbishment, and the growing significance of these practices to investors. Along with some examples of our projects at Quartz.
Embodied Carbon Reduction in Construction: Reducing embodied carbon has emerged as a core focus in modern construction. Embodied carbon accounts for all greenhouse gas emissions tied to materials, manufacturing, transportation, and construction. Sustainable practices prioritise low-carbon materials like timber, recycled steel, and innovative engineered wood. By optimizing supply chains for local sourcing and efficient construction techniques, projects significantly shrink their carbon footprint. This proactive approach minimizes the construction industry’s contribution to climate change while setting an example for environmentally conscious development.
Carbon offsetting, while hailed for compensating emissions through environmental projects, isn’t without challenges. Offsetting projects’ impact can be hard to measure accurately, raising questions about true effectiveness. Critics argue offsetting might divert focus from the core goal of source emission reduction. Despite concerns, when implemented transparently, carbon offsetting complements a comprehensive strategy against climate change and promotes sustainability across sectors.
At Quartz, our sustainability team are currently working on carbon counting becoming standardised in our cost planning function. Allowing our clients to see at an early stage of projects the likely levels of embodied carbon in their developments and alternative methods to reduce the embodied carbon. And importantly combining this with the costs associated with doing so. Whilst this is a complex task, it will empower developers and investors by providing them with the true costs and benefits enabling them to make the best decisions.
Sustainable Materials: The Cornerstone of Green Construction: Sustainable materials are pivotal to green construction, embodying minimal environmental impact, maximal durability, and performance. The UK is transitioning towards materials that reduce carbon emissions, conserve resources, and bolster local industries. Recycled steel, engineered wood, and low-carbon concrete are gaining traction due to their reduced carbon footprint. Examples like Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and natural stone demonstrate how innovative and traditional materials harmonize to create structures that are both environmentally responsible and aesthetically pleasing.
Quartz’s current scheme for client Paradise 11 & Bywater Properties, at Old Paradise Street, will transform this brown field site into the next generation of commercial office space, pushing the boundaries of ESG and Sustainable Design. Considering embodied carbon and operational energy throughout the design, a Cross Laminated Timber and Glulam structure will be utilised with terracotta façade, seeking to meet and better the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge for embodied carbon and operational energy. With goals to set the new ‘norm’ for low-carbon office workspace, whilst supporting the health and well-being of its future occupants, standards incorporated including BREEAM ‘Excellent,’ WELL Core ‘Gold, and WIRED ‘Platinum’.
Refurbishment: Renewing with purpose: While new construction is essential, refurbishing existing structures is equally significant. Refurbishment conserves embodied energy, preventing wasteful demolition and new construction. The adaptive reuse of buildings preserves cultural heritage while minimizing environmental impact. Refurbished structures meet modern standards for energy efficiency, insulation, and ventilation while maintaining their historical character.
One such example, which combines both refurbishment and sustainable materials is our Walworth Town Hall scheme, currently being delivered for General Projects in collaboration with Feix and Merlin Architects and Conamar Building Services. The fire damaged and listed structure is being refurbished using cross laminated timber for new structural members, a sustainable and elegant solution.
A second great example is one of our coworking projects, located in the Grade II* listed London County Hall building, which sat empty for nearly 40 years prior to the Cat A / B refurbishment of the space. Our client has strived to reuse and incorporate as many of the original features as possible, ranging from doors, parquet flooring, bathroom tiles, partitions and overhead sprinkler infrastructure. Additionally, partitions are either constructed from eco board or are made up of a bespoke partition system called U-Build, which is a sustainably manufactured system that can be dismantled and reconfigured as spaces evolve or change into the future. They have also utilised sustainable and recycled materials—cladding made from citrus peels, acoustic baffles grown from fungi (mycelium), and even flooring that contains cocoa bean shells.
Certifications for Sustainability: Certifications such as BREEAM and LEED offer standardized frameworks to evaluate sustainability performance. These certifications assess energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction, and indoor air quality. Achieving high BREEAM ratings enhances marketability, reputation, and can lead to incentives like tax breaks. Investor interest in carbon reduction is intensifying, given its financial implications. Green buildings command higher resale and rental values due to lower operating costs and alignment with global sustainability objectives. Institutional investors prioritize sustainable projects to safeguard investments from regulatory shifts.
Conclusion: The UK’s construction sector is undergoing a profound shift, prioritizing sustainability in its practices. Green construction’s incorporation of sustainable materials, certifications, carbon reduction, refurbishment, and investor engagement is driving a more sustainable and resilient future. As the industry evolves, this marriage of innovation, regulation, and investor interest will foster a greener built environment, not just within the UK but worldwide. By not only embracing these practices, but leading in their implementation.
Written by Mike Atkinson – ESG Corporate Executive Group Leader at Quartz Project Services