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Eight Associates reduces its carbon footprint by 31.5%
The Planet Mark™ is a sustainability certification programme that recognises commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. By becoming part of the programme, Eight Associates has pledged to measure carbon footprint and environmental performance, and will continue to engage with various stakeholders to drive improvements forward. Eight Associates started recording its carbon footprint in 2012 and set a target to reduce its CO2 emissions by 5% annually. Eight Associates achieved the following in 2017: 31.5% total carbon footprint reduction. 18% reduction in […]
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Download ‘The Power of Green Space’ ebooklet
Green space in urban environments provides social, economic and sustainability benefits. There are now many studies that quantify these benefits to health and wellbeing, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, cost reduction and in added financial value terms. With so many possible benefits on offer, should every project include an early stage assessment of how to maximise green space potential? Following our popular ‘The power of green space’ breakfast seminar in association with UBU Design, we’ve produced this ebooklet on the topic, as part of our 10th anniversary celebrations. […]
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Start the BREEAM process as early as possible. It makes achieving sustainability targets easier and cheaper than leaving it later.
Currently the most prominent sustainability assessment and certification process in the UK is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), with other standards, such as the WELL Building Standard, beginning to penetrate the market. So, is BREEAM assessing the factors that matter most, and how applicable and relevant is it to all buildings? Launched in 1990, BREEAM is the industry norm in the UK and has been used to demonstrate the sustainability credentials for over half a million buildings which have been assessed and […]
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The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard takes effect on 1 April 2018. Landlords, are you ready?
From 1st April 2018, it will be unlawful for landlords to grant a lease extension, renewal or new lease for business and residential properties that do not reach a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) of an EPC rating of E or above. Landlords should act now, if they are not already, to avoid the financial and reputational penalties for non-compliance. The MEES regulations apply to properties rented in England and Wales only, where EPC F and G rated properties are being referred to as ‘sub-standard’ […]
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Congratulations to the Kai Yong Yeoh Building, Brighton College and 70 Wilson, London on being shortlisted for the RIBA Awards 2018
Congratulations to all the buildings shortlisted for this year’s RIBA Awards. Eight Associates is very proud to have been part of the team on two shortlisted projects: The Kai Yong Yeoh building, Brighton College, shortlisted in the RIBA South East Awards (Hopkins Architects), and 70 Wilson in Shoreditch (Architect: astudio London), which is shortlisted for the RIBA London Awards. Eight Associates was the BREEAM assessor and ecology consultant for both projects.
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Download our 2018 Ecology & Protected Species Survey Calendar
Download our 2018 Ecology and Protected Species Survey Calendar to help you plan your development and avoid the costly delays associated with missing a survey window. The Eight Associates Ecology and Protected Species Calendar 2018 is a useful project management tool, highlighting both the optimal and sub-optimal timings for each of the UK’s key protected species. The information means you can plan ahead, taking into account the limited survey windows. Please get in touch if you have any questions, would like to discuss a particular requirement […]
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BREEAM New Construction 2018 – What are the potential impacts for your project? Free download.
The BREEAM scheme is regularly updated to maintain its alignment with industry standards and push sustainability standards within the construction industry. The new 2018 update is no exception, with some fundamental alterations from the previous methodology. Eight Associates has put together a document to highlight the key changes that the scheme brings and we have estimated the potential impacts this may have on your future projects undertaking the BREEAM 2018 assessments. BREEAM New Construction 2014 closing date: As a reminder, please note that the BREEAM New […]
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BREEAM Awards 2018: Congratulations to Prologis, as DC2 wins the Regional Award – Western Europe
Prologis’s DC2 has won the Regional Award – Western Europe at the prestigious BREEAM Awards 2018, impressing the judges for the long-term commitment to improvement and Prologis’s use of BREEAM to enhance their buildings and inform future projects. DC2, a state-of-the art distribution centre developed and owned by Prologis, was also shortlisted for the Commercial Post-Construction Award. Delivered by BRE in partnership with ecobuild, the Awards recognise exceptional sustainable places and project teams. The judges felt DC2 deserved recognition for its potential benefits in highlighting how to make important sustainability […]
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Landlords: The MEES 1st April deadline is looming! Book a free consultation with Eight Associates
The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) deadline of 1st April 2018 is looming – and it is estimated that as much as 20% of commercial properties in the UK will fail to meet the new standards. Landlords must ensure that commercial and residential properties reach the minimum standard or it will be unlawful to grant a lease extension, renewal or new lease. Eight Associates is running a MEES clinic, offering landlords a free MEES consultation about their options for achieving compliance. The MEES legislation requires […]
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Vacancy: Sustainability Consultant (mid level)
We are looking for a full time Sustainability Consultant (mid level) who can demonstrate strong communication and technical skills, as well as problem solving abilities. The key applicant will be able to demonstrate two essential attributes: unmistakable talent and passion. Key qualities (essential): The ability to undertake the following services: · Undertaking BREEAM and CSH Assessments · Proposing and negotiating fees with new and existing clients; · Presenting at conferences and contributing to sustainability-related publications; Experience of the following: · Technical BREEAM and […]
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London is set to become the world’s first National Park City. Join us and declare your organisation’s support
London is set to become the world’s first National Park City in 2019, and this is an amazing opportunity to make the city a greener, healthier and more enjoyable place. Eight Associates is proud to be supporting the campaign. Did you know that besides 8.6 million people, London is home to more than 8.3 million trees and 14,000 species of wildlife? Find out more at @LondonNPC or http://www.nationalparkcity.london/ and declare your organisation’s support too.
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CIBSE 2018 Award for Choice Housing’s Killynure Green
Congratulations to Choice Housing for winning the CIBSE 2018 Project of the Year – Residential Award, for the pioneering Killynure Green social housing development. It is the latest award for the Code for the Sustainable Homes Level 5 housing scheme in Carryduff, south east Belfast. PDP London was the competition winning architect team and Eight Associates was the Code Assessor for the 39 home development. The houses are situated in clusters around landscaping making the most of the natural topography to give a range of […]
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23rd March 2018: Closing date for BREEAM 2014 New Construction registrations
The closing date for registrations under the BREEAM 2014 New Construction scheme is 23rd March. BRE is publishing the BREEAM 2018 New Construction manual on 7th March. Eight Associates is running a breakfast seminar “BREEAM 2018: What do the new changes mean for your projects?” on Thursday 12th April at our London office. Please call 0207 043 0418 or email info@eightassociates.co.uk if you’d like to attend. Read our thoughts from last year on the BREEAM 2018 NC proposed changes consultation and see our full list of […]
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See you at the BREEAM Awards 2018 on 6th March
Congratulations to Prologis: DC2 was the first industrial building to be awarded design stage BREEAM 2014 ‘Outstanding’, and now DC2 is shortlisted again in this year’s BREEAM Awards, in the Commercial – Post Construction category. We’ll be at the BREEAM Awards on 6th March supporting this exemplary project. Will we see you there? Come and say hello.
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Our 2018 breakfast seminar programme
Join us at one of our breakfast seminars and tap into our expertise on the following topics: Thursday 15th February (London): MEES: Final countdown to the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. How to comply by the April 2018 deadline. Thursday 12th April (London): BREEAM 2018: What do the new changes mean for your projects? Thursday 21st June (London): Air Quality: Your project decisions, from effective building design and achieving planning conditions to considerate construction and occupant wellbeing. Thursday 13th September (Bristol timing and venue to […]
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year – and congratulations to our prize draw winners
Everyone at Eight Associates would like to wish you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Congratulations to our two prize draw winners: Terry Faulkner, BRE, who won a month’s supply of mince pies, and Phoebe Padley, Matthew Lloyd Architects, who won a Christmas hamper. Enjoy! To have a chance of winning next time, please subscribe to our newsletter. Chris Hocknell, Eight Associates’ Technical Director, presented the hamper to Phoebe, and Becky Armstrong, Lead Sustainability Consultant, delivered the mince pies to Terry. Have a wonderful […]
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Supporting Save the Children’s 2017 Christmas Jumper Day
We’re delighted to be supporting Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day. Even the office bat joined in – only with a hat, rather than jumper… Donate at www.christmasjumperday.org #ChristmasJumperDay
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Well-managed green space results in property premiums up to 11.3%
Eight Associates held a well-attended breakfast seminar “The power of green space“ today, which explored the social, economic and environmental value of using green space within and around buildings and in public spaces. The delegates were interested to learn that having a well-managed green space nearby results in average property premiums from 2.6% to 11.3%, with greener areas having a better image and attracting more visitors, in turn bringing retail and leisure spending and providing job and rental opportunities. There was an informed discussion of […]
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Vacancy: Sustainability Consultant (mid level)
We are looking for a full time Sustainability Consultant (mid level) who can demonstrate strong communication and technical skills, as well as problem solving abilities. The key applicant will be able to demonstrate two essential attributes: unmistakable talent and passion. Key qualities (essential): The ability to undertake the following services: · Undertaking BREEAM and CSH Assessments · Proposing and negotiating fees with new and existing clients; · Presenting at conferences and contributing to sustainability-related publications; Experience of the following: · Technical BREEAM and […]
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BREEAM New Construction 2018: Our thoughts on the proposed changes
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has launched the draft BREEAM 2018 New Construction manual, before the full launch which is expected early next year. The scheme is updated every three to four years to reflect industry developments, maintain its relevance, and push forward environmental performance practice. We explore what the proposed changes mean for developers and the design team, in terms of a building’s environmental impact, the changes to credits available and the cost implications. The BREEAM 2014 manual moved away from outdated Green Building […]
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Air quality assessment – what every developer and design team should know and do
Submitting a planning proposal in an area where there are people and property within 350 metres of the site boundary? You need to undertake an air quality assessment and consider mitigation actions as early as possible. There is an air quality crisis in the UK – and the property and construction sector has an important role to play in tackling air pollution. According to the Royal College of Physicians 40,000 deaths a year in the UK are attributable to outdoor air pollution, with the […]
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Eight Associates daylighting experts deliver challenging daylight analysis session to BRE
Eight Associates’ Yiota Paraskeva and Chris Hocknell delivered a well-attended daylighting ‘lunch and learn’ session this week at BRE. Yiota and Chris used the thought-provoking session to compare and contrast BREEAM and LEED daylight assessment approaches, pitching the use of ADF (a well known daylight metric used by BRE and BREEAM) against sDA and ASE (which are more new developed daylight metrics used by LEED). Their presentation covered the latest best practice in daylight analysis – and how to audit these – and also explored […]
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World Green Building Week 2017: Three Ways to Unlock the Potential for Net Zero Buildings
Buildings are responsible for over a third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. The World Green Building Council is working hard to change this and make all buildings Net Zero by 2050. Eight Associates is proud to support this year’s World Green Building Week, 25 September to 1 October (#WGBW17, #OurHeroisZero), an annual event that “empowers the green building community to deliver green buildings for everyone, everywhere”. We’ve collated three thought pieces that explore ways to unlock the potential for net zero buildings into an e-booklet […]
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The power of green space: Adding human, environmental and financial value to buildings. Join our breakfast seminar, 2nd November
The power of green space: Adding human, environmental and financial value to buildings It is widely recognised that exposure to nature has a positive effect on health and can improve human performance. The breakfast seminar will explore how biophilic design, ecology and landscaping can be utilised, within and around the building, to optimise occupants’ wellbeing, and the sustainability considerations needed to ensure the greatest returns in environmental, human and financial terms. The breakfast seminar will be delivered by Eight Associates with a special guest speaker from UBU […]
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Is the Well Building Standard worth the investment?
Sustainability, energy efficiency and wellbeing indicate the quality of a building. Is now the time to consider the return on investment of implementing the Well Building Standard? Wellbeing, as much as energy efficiency and carbon reduction, is becoming a key criteria against which a building’s quality is judged. We spend over 90% of our lives in and around buildings, where the concepts of sustainability and environmental impact are widely understood and measured. Now, consideration of buildings’ impact on occupants’ wellbeing – and productivity and absenteeism […]
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Protected species ecology surveys: Have you seen a black redstart in London?
Protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), there are thought to be fewer than 100 breeding pairs of this beautiful but elusive robin-sized bird in the UK. The black redstart likes an urban and industrial habitat, and there are reported population strongholds in London. This month, Eight Associates Ecologist Rachel Crookes has been up at dawn taking part in black redstart breeding season surveys. The black redstart Phoenicurus ochruros is a robin-sized bird, with attractive orange and grey plumage. This small bird […]
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How does the Well Building Standard align with other sustainability assessment systems?
“Our clients are interested in the cost implications and return on investment for implementation of different assessment systems; the good news is there are synergies that make health and wellbeing inseparable to sustainability in assessment of the quality of a building” says Joanna Peacock, Eight Associate’s Lead Sustainability Consultant. We spend over 90% of our lives in and around buildings; clearly the quality of these buildings has a critical social and environmental impact on our lives. However, the concept of quality itself is subjective […]
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The UK’s first National Clean Air Day – pledge to reduce the air pollution you create
A Royal College of Physician’s (RCP) 2016 report attributed 40,000 deaths a year in the UK to outdoor air pollution, and the Government is under scrutiny to reduce illegal levels of air pollution in the “shortest possible time”. Thursday 15th June is the UK’s first National Clean Air Day, to raise awareness of the impact air pollution has on everyone’s health, tips on how to avoid air pollution and information on the top five things you can do to reduce air pollution you create. The Eight […]
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Sustainable design: How to achieve thermal comfort
Eight Associates’ Chris Hocknell and Yiota Paraskeva discuss how achieving thermal comfort through sustainable design involves the careful balancing of interdependent factors – and how the results, in terms of energy efficiency, productivity and wellbeing, are worth it. BS EN ISO 7730 defines thermal comfort as ‘…that condition of mind which expresses satisfaction with the thermal environment.’ A combination of environmental and personal factors affect thermal comfort: The environmental factors include air temperature, radiant temperature, air velocity, humidity and uniformity of conditions, while the personal […]
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“Air quality: An unavoidable truth” Tackling the UK’s illegal levels of air pollution
Air quality affects everyone’s health and the environment. The Royal College of Physician’s (RCP) 2016 report led to horrifying media headlines of 40,000 deaths a year in the UK being attributable to outdoor air pollution. The Government was ordered by the High Court to issue its draft Air Quality Plan, and has until the end of July to announce how it will reduce illegal levels of air pollution in the “shortest possible time”. However, there are grave concerns about the effectiveness of the Government’s draft […]
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Eight Associates and the Chiltern Society: Surveying for reptiles
The Chilterns covers 650 square miles, stretching from Hitchin in north Hertfordshire to Goring-on-Thames in south Oxfordshire, and almost half of the Chilterns is an officially designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Chiltern Society is the only voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving, celebrating and caring for all of the Chilterns’ landscape and Eight Associates is supporting the Society with their aim of helping wildlife to thrive. During the spring months, our expert ecologist will be conducting important conservation work by surveying for reptiles at two of […]
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An insight into the significance of thermal bridging analysis
by Chris Hocknell, Technical Director, Eight Associates It’s still relatively uncommon for building designers to commission thermal bridging analysis, despite significant benefits where this is undertaken early in a project. Attractively for developers, thermal bridging analysis can lead to a reduction in external wall insulation thickness, adding to the overall available floor area of a scheme. In addition, confirmation of reduced thermal bridging can shore up a project’s costs and timescales, and prevent the need for last-minute addition of further thermal insulation or improved air […]
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Eight Associates shortlisted for ‘Consultancy of the Year’ in BusinessGreen’s Leaders Awards 2017
Eight Associates is really proud to have been shortlisted for this year’s BusinessGreen Leaders awards, in the “Consultancy of the Year” category. The awards, now in their 10th year, recognise some of the UK’s most innovative and inspiring green businesses and executives. The awards will take place on the evening of June 28th at The Brewery in Central London. Described by BusinessGreen as ‘Europe’s most prestigious and high profile green business awards’, they bring together the ‘best and brightest from across the green community’ to celebrate the projects, […]
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Vacancy: Assistant Energy and Sustainability Consultant (full-time)
We are a growing team and are seeking a determined and intelligent individual, with a strong belief in the role of the built environment in achieving a sustainable future, to join our friendly and energetic team. Vacancy:Assistant Energy and Sustainability Consultant (full-time) Salary: Negotiable, depending on experience Date: 18.04.2017 Job start date: Immediate We politely request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this position. We are looking for an assistant energy and sustainability consultant who can demonstrate very strong technical skills and problem solving […]
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Join our free breakfast seminar ‘Sustainable design: How to achieve thermal comfort’
How best to achieve thermal comfort? join us at our free breakfast seminar on Wednesday 12th April to learn more. Increasing energy efficiency measures and higher external temperatures as a result of intense urbanisation and climate change is increasing the risk of overheating in buildings. This seminar will explain the factors that affect thermal comfort in buildings, how it is calculated and how buildings can be designed to maximise occupant comfort. The seminar takes place at The Africa Centre, 66 Great Suffolk Street, SE1 0BL, […]
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Protected species: Meet the UK’s reptiles
There are six native species of reptile in the UK – three lizards and three snakes. The adder, common lizard, grass snake and slow worm are protected from killing and injuring under Schedule 5 (Section 9) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). These species are found around the country in a wide range of habitat, and may be present on your project’s site. With a short survey window for these species too – April to June and September –please get in […]
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Great Crested Newt (GCN) survey season opens – and new approach to GCN licensing in development
The Great Crested Newt (GCN) survey season runs from mid-March to mid-June. Great crested newts are rare across Europe and are protected by law, meaning that disturbance or damage to the newts or their habitat requires a European protected species licence. Projects with sites that contain a pond or are located within 500m of one, may require a GCN survey – and missing the survey window will cause lengthy delays. Over the next three years, Natural England is implementing a new approach to Great Crested Newt […]
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New policies for European Protected species (EPS) licensing – a ‘win-win’ for EPS and developers
New policies for European protected species (EPS) licensing were adopted by Natural England in December 2016. Designed to maximise the benefits to both EPS – such as dormice, bats and great crested newts – and developers, the policies cover excluding and relocating EPS, including creating new habitats and aim to reduce costs, delays and uncertainty for developers. The proposed policies sought to achieve better outcomes for EPS and reduced unnecessary costs, delays and uncertainty that can be inherent in the current system. The four new policies […]
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Announcing our Spring 2017 breakfast seminar series. Book your place.
Book your place at one of our free to attend breakfast seminars. Below is the Spring 2017 programme. We’re adding more topics in the year, from ‘Achieving air tightness targets’ to ‘Planners’ tips for evaluating energy strategies’, so let us know if there is a particular area you’d like to see covered. The seminars take place at our office (and we provide a light breakfast): Ground Floor, 57A Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BB (here’s a map or call us for directions: 020 7043 0418). Wednesday 15th February, […]
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Support World Wetlands Day on 2 February 2017
Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil, all year or for varying periods of time during the year. This includes swamps, marshes, bogs, and fens. Wetlands carry out many beneficial ecosystems services: They can be used to filter sewage from water and buffer pollutants from agricultural and urban land. They also act as great carbon sinks – peat wetlands alone store more carbon in the soil than rainforest, absorbing a third of […]
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What would improve the quality of energy strategies submitted at the planning stage?
Chris Hocknell, Eight Associates’ Technical Director shares his views on how to evaluate and improve the quality of energy strategies at planning. Energy strategies require careful evaluation at planning. An effective energy statement provides a roadmap for those working on the strategy post-planning approval – ultimately dictating the building’s energy performance at practical completion and in use. What makes a good energy strategy? At its most basic, an energy strategy must achieve the Part L Building regulations 2013 baseline, follow the energy hierarchy, be appropriate […]
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Four buildings shortlisted in the BREEAM 2017 Awards
Eight Associates is the BREEAM Assessor for FOUR of the buildings shortlisted in the BREEAM 2017 Awards. The BREEAM Awards is an international event recognising the achievement of those involved in the “specification, design, construction and management of the ‘best of the best’ BREEAM certified buildings”. The shortlisted buildings in each category have been drawn from the year’s highest scoring buildings under the BREEAM schemes. The four projects shortlisted are in the following three categories: In the BREEAM Retail (New) category: 2 King John Court – BREEAM […]
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Proud to support Southwark Foodbank this Christmas
Eight Associates is proud to be supporting Southwark Foodbank this festive period. We are volunteering our time and making food donations to the charity which is working to combat hunger in the area where our office is located. It’s an amazing cause; Southwark Foodbank helps more than 3,000 people each year. Find out more about their work or make a donation by visiting southwark.foodbank.org.uk
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Grosvenor’s 119 Ebury Street – the UK’s most sustainable heritage building
119 Ebury Street has become the first listed residential building to achieve BREEAM “Outstanding” Grosvenor’s residential refit of the Grade II listed 119 Ebury Street, London, has secured the first ever BREEAM Outstanding rating for a listed residential retrofit. The three apartments secured final scores of 89.2, 90 and 90% – the highest ratings to date for a BREEAM Domestic Refurbishment – and have been designed to reduce carbon emissions by more than 75% from the property pre-development. Previously a run-down hotel in need of […]
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Eight Associates’ Technical Director is a RIBAJ Rising Star
Congratulations to Chris Hocknell, Eight Associates’ Technical Director, for being shortlisted in the prestigious RIBAJ Rising Star Awards. The awards set out to recognise the talented new generation of construction professionals. The judges were impressed by Chris’ strategic contribution, persistent attention to detail and innovative problem-solving that have seen thousands of tonnes of CO2 driven out of schemes. Chris is clear that sustainability shouldn’t be a late consideration, as this leads to sensible proposals being ruled out due to risk-aversion and unrealised potential, instead working towards sustainability choices becoming […]
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Don’t forget, the clocks go back on 30 October. Have you considered the impact of less daylight on your design?
The clocks go back an hour on Sunday 30 October, a clear signal that the nights are drawing in. In London the longest day is around 16.5 hours (summer) and the shortest is around 8 hours (winter). This image is a 3D illustration showing the sun path during the year for a development in London. The top blue line is the sun path for the 21st of July, the lowest line is the sun path for 21st of December. Moreover, the sun has a very low […]
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From April 2018, it becomes unlawful to grant a lease on properties with an EPC rating lower than ‘E’. Act now to ensure cost-effective compliance.
From 1st April 2018, it will be unlawful for landlords to grant a lease extension, renewal or new lease for business and residential properties that do not reach a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard. Plan now to achieve the minimum energy standard in the most cost-effective, least intrusive way. EPC regulations From 1st April 2018, it will be unlawful to rent out business or residential property that does not reach a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES), due to changes to the Energy Act 2011. Energy Performance […]
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edie’s Sustainability Leaders Awards 2017: Eight Associates is a SME Consultancy of the Year finalist!
Eight Associates is a finalist at edie’s Sustainability Leaders Awards 2017! Our submission has been shortlisted in the SME Consultancy of the Year category, against a record-breaking number of entries, and we couldn’t be more proud. We need to wait until the Awards evening on 25 January, while you can read some of the case studies that provided the evidence to support our submission now. Wish us luck!
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Eight Associates tools – free to download and use
Sustainability decisions are best taken as early as possible in a project. To help ensure you are aware of and equipped to make some of these decisions we have developed a range of tools in some of the areas in which we work. Please feel free to download any of the Eight Associates tools below, and forward to any colleagues or contacts whom may find them useful. If you have any questions, our consultants are happy to informally discuss your project. ♦ Eight Associates […]
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New technical guidance: Assessing condensation and moisture in buildings (BS5250:A1 2016)
It has been recognised by the recent amendment to BS5250:2011 ‘Code of practice for control of condensation in buildings’ that the simplified Glaser method of condensation prediction is not sufficient under many circumstances and more sophisticated modelling tools should be used instead. The Glaser method only gives part of the picture, regardless of how simple or complex the construction. Eight Associates uses the WUFI software in its hygrothermal analysis to provide more accurate assessments of the risk of condensation and advice on how this risk […]
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Air tightness: Design insight, build tight, ventilate right
The importance of considering air permeability at the early design stage The air permeability of the building envelope underlies the potential energy efficiency of a building, as poor airtightness can be responsible for up to 40% of heat loss from buildings. The level of air permeability is determined by the standards of design, materials, and workmanship. Well-managed, it enables lower running costs; prevents uncomfortable drafts and minimises condensation risks. If overlooked at the early design stage, it can lead to underperforming buildings that, at worst, […]
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Download the Eight Associates Daylight Predictor Tool (Early Design Phase)
Daylight levels impact on occupants’ well-being and comfort, reduce operational costs and are essential to meet health regulations. Knowing how to measure, influence and optimise daylight factors on projects is critical. Please get in touch if you have a specific project which would benefit from our expertise, or alternatively, one of the following may be of help: Download the Eight Associates Daylight Predictor Tool (Early Design Phase): This tool is designed to enable the user to estimate the average daylight factor (ADF), the sky view area and the maximum room depth according to […]
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Brighten up the streets, encourage biodiversity – download the Better Bankside Ecology Toolkit
As part of National Volunteers Week, Business Improvement District Better Bankside and sustainability consultancy Eight Associates are launching the “Better Bankside Ecology Toolkit”, a practical mini-guide with tips on guerrilla gardening, creating mini-meadows and rain gardens, and building bat and bird boxes. The toolkit highlights the many ways anyone can get involved to ‘green’ their urban environment. It is well recognised that a little more greenery in urban settings makes for happier, healthier people. The toolkit was created by the Ecologists at Eight Associates after […]
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Will we see you at The Planning Convention on 28 June 2016?
We’re exhibiting at RTPI’s The Planning Convention “Better Planning Solutions: The challenge of growth” in London on 28 June 2016. This year’s programme looks excellent, and we’re looking forward to discussion about the role of sustainability in the quality of new housing schemes. If you’re attending, please come and say hello to us on stand one.
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Daylighting breakfast seminar – Join us on Thursday 26 May
Discover how to measure, influence and improve daylight factors on your projects, and leave with our free Daylight Predictor Tool! Daylight levels have an enormous impact on occupants’ wellbeing and comfort, can greatly reduce operational costs, and are essential to meet health regulations. Our seminar will explore the theory and principles of measuring daylight, the influencers on average daylight factor and uniformity ratio, and share tips about design considerations to improve daylighting conditions and light distribution. Plus we’ll be unveiling the Eight Associates Early Design Stage Daylight Predictor Tool – […]
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Ecology 101 seminar: Bats, birds and trees. What you need to know this spring/summer
Attend our free breakfast seminar and find out what you need to know, spot and do during the spring/summer ecology survey window. On: Thursday 14 April From 8.20 am to 9.45 am At: 57A Great Suffolk Street, London, SE1 0BB Obtaining planning permission for a development may hinge on having sufficient ecology evidence on a number of fronts. In the case of protected species, this evidence can only be obtained at certain times of the year, and there are time and financial penalties for getting it wrong. […]
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The Civic Trust Award 2016 winner: Brighton College Boarding House
The Brighton College Boarding House project has been given another accolade – as a winner of the Civic Trust Awards 2016. Eight Associates acted as the Sustainability Consultant and BREEAM Assessor for the project. Brighton College required a 70 bedroom boarding house, to be delivered within a year. A team of consultants and builders was rapidly assembled to deliver this design and build project. The boarding house was designed to complement and reflect the existing historic campus buildings, with its gabled roof, knapped flint on the internal facades and soft red […]
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Eight Associates announced as Edie Awards’ Consultancy of the Year finalist
Eight Associates has been announced as a Finalist in the ‘Consultancy of the Year’ category in the 2016 Edie Environment and Energy Awards, against strong competition. In the judges’ words, this “is a commendable achievement and your entry to the Consultancy of the Year category has already surpassed many others to get this far…To be selected as a finalist is a huge achievement, so congratulations!”. The Consultancy of the Year award recognises the work that consultancies are doing to improve the environmental, energy and sustainability credentials of […]
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Download our Ecology Survey Calendar and ensure you never miss a survey window
In the UK, certain wildlife is protected by legislation which makes it illegal to kill, injure, capture or disturb the species in question. Conducting a survey of the habitat is essential to gain planning consent, and finding potential for these species on site during a project can mean work has to stop at once. Breaking the law could result in a fine of £5000, up to six months in prison and serious reputational damage. It’s vital to plan accordingly; there are only certain times of […]
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It’s against the law to harm bats or their habitats. Do you know how – and when – to spot the potential for bats on site?
Eight Associates Ecologists can help if you require a bat detector survey or advice about a protected species. Read our case study or give us a call to talk through your requirements. In the UK, all bat species are protected by the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) as amended, Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000) and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2010). It is illegal to deliberately or recklessly kill, injure, capture or disturb bats, obstruct access to bat roosts or damage […]
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ESOS: After the deadline, what next?
Our Technical Director Chris Hocknell is an ESOS Lead Assessor. Chris has shared some of the lessons learned and easiest wins from recent ESOS assessments: The Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) is the mandatory energy assessment that applies to “large undertakings”, regardless of sector, employing 250 people or more or with an annual turnover of in excess of 50 million euros. The assessment requires companies to calculate their total energy consumption across buildings, industrial processes and transport. Companies must identify areas of significant energy consumption; […]
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Happy Christmas! Please open your stocking…
Happy Christmas and best wishes for the New Year from everyone at Eight Associates. Please help yourself to any of our free Eight Associates gifts below. Helping the homeless – We’re donating £1 to the homeless charity St Mungo’s for each new Twitter and LinkedIn follower we add before the end of 2015. Please click on the links to follow us. Thanks. Eight Associates Ecology Calendar – Our experienced licensed ecologists have put together guidance on when to carry out surveys for protected species. Download a copy […]
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Prestigious ‘Talent’ award for Eight Associates daylighting expert
Eight Associates’ Yiota Paraskeva has won a prestigious ‘Talent’ award at the newly established “Future Builders” awards in Sweden. The prize, awarded by the Foundation for energy-efficient construction, in cooperation with Lund University and Property World, was made at an award ceremony held in November. The aim of the Future Builders awards is to raise the issue of the energy efficient and sustainable construction, to encourage more people to produce new ideas and initiatives. There were eight winners who received the 2015 prize in the […]
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Education sector case study: the positive impact of using skylights in the classroom
In the education sector, studies have shown that daylight quality and levels have a positive effect on students’ performance. So, as skylights increase the amount and improve the quality of daylight that a space receives, the question arises, could students’ performance be enhanced through the integration of skylights in schools? The study below was conducted in Denmark – the findings are transferable to the UK, to any classroom or workspace. Please get in touch if you wold like more details of the study or have […]
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Shining a light on the importance of daylighting
Eight Associates offers a range of services related to Daylight Analysis including modelling of daylight conditions to assess for compliance with green building rating systems and Daylight and Sunlight Impact Assessments to provide guidance on the impact of new developments to daylight on neighbouring properties. This post discusses the role that skylights can play in improving daylight conditions. The primary purpose of using windows and skylights is natural lighting and view – two factors which have an enormous impact on occupants. People like being in a day-lit space and having views of the […]
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Ecology surveys: The window is closing!
The chance to collect ecological data in optimal conditions reduces as animals go into hibernation. The window to carry out surveys this year for many protected species is closing! Not surveying your sites over the next few weeks could leave you with insufficient ecological evidence to gain planning approval. The implications are long delays (or potentially hefty fines). Download the free Eight Associates Ecology Survey Calendar to plan your requirements. Get in touch to discuss any of your requirements with our friendly team of licensed ecologists.
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Why could 25% of London’s land be covered with trees by 2025?
‘A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in’ – Greek Proverb Eight Associates now provides BS5837:2012 Tree Surveys, Arboricultural impact Assessments, Arboricultural Method Statement and Arboricultural Clerk of Works. Valuable trees on a development site are not a hurdle to be overcome – early valuation could mean both a smoother journey through planning and an enlarged design which adapts to trees in close proximity. So, why are trees important to the urban environment? The Mayor […]
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What is thermal bridging and why does thermal bridging analysis matter?
Thermal bridges are ‘weak spots’ which occur where there is a break in the continuity of, or penetration through, the insulation in a building envelope. Thermal bridging is heat loss at a junction between two thermal elements. The benefits of thermal bridging analysis are wide-ranging and applicable to building owners, developers, occupants and design teams. It’s more than avoiding ‘cold bridges’ – it is a systematic heat loss analysis and subsequent design refinement approach that can maximise available floor space, reduce the build cost and […]
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Come to one of our breakfast sustainability seminars
Would you like to come to one (or more) of our breakfast sustainability seminars at our office in London SE1? The details: Each seminar is at our office (5th floor, 81 Southwark Street, SE1), starts at 8.20am and concludes no later than 9.45am. Thursday 8 October – book How to navigate trees on development sites to maximum effect Navigating trees on development sites through the planning process can be challenging. We will discuss the hurdles and opportunities associated with trees from the early stages of site acquisition to […]
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A Guide to Retrofitting Historic Buildings for Sustainability
As sustainability consultant for Grosvenor’s award-winning 119 Ebury Street, the UK’s first Listed Building to achieve BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ for its proposed design, we’re as experienced as we are passionate about the potential for retrofitting historic buildings. In 2013, we assisted the City of Westminster in producing a Retrofitting Guide for Historic Buildings, partly based on work previously undertaken for the City Council by Eight Associates. Westminster is particularly rich in historic buildings; three quarters of Westminster housing was constructed prior to 1915. The City Council is […]
Read More >Our views on the government’s scrapping of zero carbon homes
Eight Associates was one of the 246 businesses that signed the UK Green Building Council’s open letter to the Chancellor, asking him to reconsider scrapping zero carbon measures. The full UKGBC letter can be read here: http://www.ukgbc.org/press-centre/press-releases/over-200-businesses-urge-chancellor-reconsider-scrapping-zero-carbon Chris Hocknell, Eight’s Technical Director, also wrote a letter – to the Editor of our sector’s leading magazine – highlighting what we’ve learned through our ‘2050 compliant’ projects (i.e. achieving 80% reduction in operational carbon emissions), and what is needed to be ready for the EU ‘nearly zero carbon’ 2020 deadline: Letter […]
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The ESOS deadline is approaching…. are you in good shape?
ESOS is a mandatory energy assessment scheme that requires all UK ‘large undertakings’ (a company with 250+ employees or an annual turnover of more than 50 million euros) to carry out ESOS assessments every 4 years. These assessments are audits of the energy used by their buildings, industrial processes and transport, to identify cost-effective energy saving measures. The deadline for submissions is 5 December 2015 – and there are penalties for missing this! If your organisation is fully covered by ISO 50001, then you are compliant with […]
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How can living roofs reduce initial project and ongoing costs?
The most commonly associated benefit of living roofs is biodiversity. Yet living roofs save money –both in upfront and ongoing costs. A living roof is the easiest way to contribute to maximum BREEAM credits for land use and ecology, and it can be the only way of demonstrating an increase in ecological value post development if there is no soft landscaping on the ground. Living roofs provide comprehensive rainwater runoff management, improve energy efficiency by reducing temperature fluctuations, and reduce heat loss and energy consumption by adding mass. The installation cost of […]
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Calling Bristol-based Architects: Don’t miss The Green Register BREEAM bite-size session on 7 July
Eight Associates’ Blythe Jopling is discussing BREEAM at The Green REgister bite-size session in Bristol on 7 July. Blythe will focus on the credits architects are responsible for, and show how to get the most credits for the least cost. Blythe is a BREEAM Accredited Professional and a LEED Green Associate. She has worked on a wide variety of building projects ranging from multi-residential care homes, schools, commercial buildings, hotels, and domestic properties. Blythe completed an MSc in Managing the Environment at Aberystwyth University in […]
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Secondment boosts Eight Associates’ passivhaus credentials
Ed Lowes is taking up a secondment to the Passivhaus Institut in Innsbruck, Austria, which will further enhance Eight Associates’ low-energy retrofit design expertise and international project experience in this area. Ed will continue his UK projects while working on an EU-funded project called ‘Sinfonia Smart Cities’. This is a 5-year scheme specifically to reduce the energy demand of large sections of Innsbruck and Bolzano, northern Italy, via building retrofit, district heating and cooling and optimised energy distribution. In addition to these two cities, five other European cities […]
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Eight Associates joins the UK Green Building Council
Eight Associates is delighted to become a member of the UK Green Building Council (GBC), the UK’s charity and membership organisation which campaigns for a sustainable built environment. Currently GBC has over 400 members, spanning the entire built environment. “The UKGBC’s aims are to inspire best practice and leadership, and impact their members’ sustainability performance. It’s an ethos we live by every day, and share with for our clients, so it made perfect sense to join” said Stacey Cougill, Eight Associate’s acting managing director. “We’ve signed up to the […]
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20 May Better Bankside lunchtime workshop: Practical tips to improve your energy efficiency
Bring your questions to our Better Bankside lunchtime workshop on Wednesday 20 May, which will provide cost saving guidance – to optimise your business and your workspace’s performance. We’ll cover: Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) – advice suited to your business to achieve compliance Energy management problem-solving to help you to assess your building’s energy needs and define the best and most cost efficient strategy for your workspace Energy monitoring and options for you to reduce your carbon footprint Any International Organisation for Standardisations (ISOs) relevant to […]
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The Green Register Bite-Size Session: BREEAM – a sustainable building standard or a box ticking exercise?
Eight Associates’ Blythe Jopling will take a pragmatic look at BREEAM and how architects can get the most credits for the least cost at The Green Register Bite-Size session on 7 May. Blythe is a BREEAM Accredited Professional, and a LEED Green Associate. She has worked on a wide variety of building projects ranging from multi-residential care homes, schools, commercial buildings, hotels, and domestic properties. Register today (£19 for members, £35 non-members) The bite-size session is on Thursday 7 May, 5 – 7 pm (registration from […]
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Meet Chris from Eight Associates at Sustainability Live on 21 April 2015
Chris Hocknell, Eight Associates’ Technical Director is participating in Sustainability Live next week. Chris is speaking on the ESOS panel, addressing the ‘so what next?’ question for building owners of how to prioritise and plan energy saving actions identified in their ESOS compliance audits. Catch Chris in Energy Efficiency Theatre 1 at 3pm on Tuesday 21 April. See the full panel line-up for the session “ESOS: getting the most from your audit” here: http://www.sustainabilitylive.com/seminar/achieving-esos-and-beyond/ Sustainability Live is a 3 day, free to attend conference and exhibition at […]
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Please vote for us in the 2degrees Champions Awards!
2degrees has unveiled the organisations, projects and people that are driving sustainable business forward, inspiring others and leading by example through innovation in the 2degrees Champions Awards. We’re thrilled that Eight Associates has been longlisted for an award! Your votes decide the winners for each of the 15 categories, and there is a short voting window – please read our entry and see if Eight Associates deserves your vote in the Property Retrofit category. Here’s some more detail: Eight Associates entered the category of ‘Property […]
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119 Ebury Street, the UK’s first listed building to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, wins prestigious sustainability award
The refurbishment of the listed Georgian Terrace, 119 Ebury Street, achieved the highest level of sustainability certification, a BREEAM Outstanding rating. Now, it has received the accolade of a 2015 BREEAM Award too. The conversion of the former hotel into three duplex apartments is testament to the feasibility of achieving BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ at design stage in a heritage context and to Grosvenor’s position as a leader in sustainable conservation. Eight Associates acted as BREEAM and energy consultant for the project. The Development Managers at Grosvenor […]
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Press Release
Carbon expert witness in the controversial ‘super-basement’ planning appeal shows multi-storey basements have carbon emissions almost 30% higher than single storey basements during construction Eight Associates, the sustainability consultancy commissioned by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) to be the carbon expert witness in the controversial ‘super-basement’ planning appeal, has released its findings that subterranean extensions in dwellings are generally characterised by a more carbon intense building life cycle. The Eight Associates report for RBKC drew on 16 different case studies in its […]
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