Aiming for net zero carbon medical centre developments

A TRIO of environmental design and architecture companies has been commissioned by a Warrington-based primary care premises specialist to create a net zero carbon design guide for future medical centre developments and improvements.
Civic Engineers Hawkins\Brown and Atelier Ten have already started work on the guide, which will lead to not only new developments but also improvements to more than 600 primary care sites across the country.
Warrington‐based health care property developer Assura has pledged to deliver only whole‐life net zero carbon buildings by 2026.
The announcement of its SixbySix strategy came ahead of NHS England’s commitment to become the world’s first net zero carbon health service by 2050.
Julian Broster, founding director at Civic Engineers said “We are pleased to be leading this talented team of design practices to produce what we believe we will an exemplar design guide for Assura and their collaborators to utilise in the design of net zero carbon healthcare developments. Our experience and approach to low carbon design of buildings, including in the health sector, which prioritises climate sensitivity and its protection, will help Assura to achieve their net zero goals.”
Ewan Graham, partner and healthcare lead at Hawkins\Brown said: “We are delighted to be working with such a forward‐thinking, community focussed client, who shares our passion to design and deliver buildings with minimal environmental impact and maximum social value. The guide will offer a net zero‐carbon roadmap through all stages of the design, delivery and handover of Assura’s new primary care facilities.”
Joseph Lazell, associate drector at Atelier Ten also said: “we are delighted to be working with the NZC team to develop energy strategies that will assist Assura enhance the energy and carbon performance of their new building portfolio”.
Assura has already launched a retrofit programme designed to move all its existing properties to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘B’ within the next five years.
Jonathan Murphy, Assura chief executive said: “Our SixbySix commitments are incredibly important to us and we are delighted to be making progress on our net zero goals. This partnership will help us continue with our pledge whilst we continue to develop excellent primary care centres that provide a key resource to their communities. It will also help us improve the sustainability of the older buildings in our portfolio, something that we believe is vital in achieving our aims for the future.”