Scottish case studies

There never will be a widely agreed definition of the threshold that buildings must cross before they can be regarded as more sustainable. This is because so much depends on a balance of good performance across a range of criteria and upon the context (physical and social characteristics of the location, for instance).

Much can be learned, however, by studying building projects which have aimed for sustainability or which have a number of characteristics of a sustainable building. Therefore, we suggest following the links below to give a flavour of the work that has been going on in green buildings and of the type of information that is available. This is intended as a starting point for further exploration, not a definitive list of Scotland's most green buildings and practitioners.

Office refurbishments

Norton Park, Edinburgh
Norton Park - an old Victorian school building - was refurbished by Burnett Pollock Architects for the Albion Trust to lease as office space to a large number of charitable and voluntary organisations. Sustainability and conservation of the historic building fabric were essential considerations throughout.

Accordingly, the building now has a wide range of notable features, including high levels of insulation, high performance secondary glazing, a ventilation system that recovers heat from the roof slates, a rainwater harvesting system for the toilets and the introduction of demountable mezzanine floors in the high classrooms to increase the lettable area and the flexibility of the spaces.

The full article - Norton Park, balancing conservation and sustainability is available from the Thirdwave website.

Housing

Leitch Street, Cloch Housing Association
This development of 87 houses by John Gilbert Architects includes a Combined Heat and Power system and high levels of insulation. It is organised on 'Homezone' principles and sustainable design was assisted by computer.

Slateford Green, Canmore Housing Association
This Edinburgh housing development by Hackland and Dore is well known for being 'car free' but has other sustainability credentials too - such as use of recycled materials and a 'passive stack' ventilation system.

Visitors centres

Scottish Seabird Centre
This popular building by Simpson and Brown Architects made extensive use of locally sourced and natural materials.

Glencoe Visitor Centre
The Glencoe Visitor Centre by Gaia Architects incorporates a range of locally sourced timber, has good energy efficiency (using insulation based on recycled paper) and is heated by a boiler burning locally sourced wood chips.

Signature buildings

The Scottish Parliament
Financial issues are an essential consideration in sustainablity assessments (forming one third of the 'triple bottom line' of environment, community and economy) so we mention the Stirling Prize-winning building with a note of caution. But the building does show how sustainable features can be incorporated into a large scale building.

The City of Edinburgh Council has also been addressing sustainability systematically in the design and construction of its new headquarters, which is being carried out on a much more strictly controlled budget.