A planning application has been submitted for what could become the UK’s most environmentally-friendly commercial building.

The £8.2 million building at The University of East Anglia (UEA) will be used as a hub for professionals across a range of industries to discuss sustainable construction initiatives.

Expected to achieve BREEAM Outstanding and Passivhaus certification

According to uea.gov.uk, the building has named the Norwich Research Park Enterprise Centre and could be built using locally sourced materials including Thetford timber, flint, steel, hemp and lime.

It will feature office space, classrooms, a lecture theatre and a number of communal meeting areas. It’s expected to achieve BREEAM Outstanding and Passivhaus certification due its low carbon footprint.

Record-breaking low carbon footprint for the building

In an interview with constructionenquirer.com, project director John French explained the importance of achieving a record-breaking low carbon footprint for the building. He said:

“It will be a huge benefit to the local economy and to our reputation as a green capital. We want to demonstrate that this is possible to do, so that people will copy it. People never change in society unless someone comes along and does something differently.”

“The layout of the building will place academic and commercial users side by side. We want students to interact with businesses and to start their own businesses.”

Author: Joe Elvin   Date Written: 11 December 2012