Sustainability

Sustainability is fundamental to our vision. We are committed to reducing our impact on the environment through our building, our processes and the way we work. As well as reducing carbon emissions, lowering energy and water use and minimising waste, we have aimed to create a healthy, comfortable, inclusive and safe building that supports visitors’ and staff wellbeing and provides the best possible environment for world-class research.

Building Design

A flexible design

We have worked to ‘future-proof’ the building using a flexible, reconfigurable design that can accommodate changes in the needs of the development over time

A healthy and productive environment 

The new facility will provide a healthy, comfortable, inclusive and safe building that supports visitors’ and staff wellbeing and provides the best possible environment for world-class research. This includes maximizing use of full-length windows to make the most of natural light, wellbeing spaces in the building and green areas on site

Low energy and carbon 

Through the building’s use and design, we aim to make a significant contribution to the reduction of carbon emissions.

Natural resources

We aim to make use of natural resources in the most efficient and economical way possible, applying circular economy principles to minimise waste and create new business opportunities across the redevelopment of the site.

BREEAM

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methods

The building is aiming for a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and has been awarded an interim certification. This demonstrates exemplary environmental performance and surpasses initial project targets and requirements. 

BREEAM sets standards for the environmental performance of buildings through the design, specification, construction and operation phases. Less than the top 1% of new non-domestic buildings achieve this certification.

This certification reflects a high performance across a number of areas of sustainability – including energy; water; health and wellbeing; materials; waste; and ecology. 

Green and outdoor spaces

The new facility will include green spaces and seating areas to create a calming and welcoming environment for patients, visitors, workers and residents to enjoy. 

There will be an outdoor roof terrace for UCL researchers on the third floor, a public café and a sensory garden space which sits between the historic Alexandra Wing and the new research centre, offering a reflective space away from the hubbub of Grays Inn Road.

The site also includes public access through the site to Langton Close and St Andrew’s Garden, as well as cycle facilities and bike racks for cyclists

We have developed a range of new ways of working which reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to new more efficient and sustainable systems and processes, including:

• Cutting daily deliveries to Queen Square from 70 per day to just four by consolidating orders off-site
• Creating a standard and comprehensive guide of how to dispose of waste at ION
• Creating a single sample management system to ensure that we maximise ultra-low temperature freezer space and don’t store samples that we no longer need
• Developing a UCL ‘e-shop’, where researchers can order lab items in small quantities and avoid buying big batches.
• Using scientific vending machines to reduce waste and ensure that researchers only need buy what they need
• Developing a range of core technology platforms available to all researchers, ensuring that we are using our state-of-the-art equipment to its full potential.