The City of London Corporation has recently announced the shortlist for its UK wide Sustainable City Awards. The winners will be announced by ethical pioneer and celebrity chef, Raymond Blanc, at a ceremony held at the Mansion House on 1st March 2012.
Among the nominees are London-based architect firm, PRP, which have been shortlisted for a ‘green stamp of approval’ in the Sustainable Building category for its research project, Greenwatt Way (pictured below) – a model for affordable, sustainable living which exceeds the government’s proposed new definition for true zero carbon. The combined use of energy efficiency measures, low carbon heat sources and solar energy makes each home carbon negative.
Ahead of 2016 when all new homes in England will have to be zero carbon, Greenwatt Way will provide a better understanding of future sustainable housing and what energy usage might be in 40 years. The development houses four types of energy generation, the highest insulation, incorporating grey water recycling, underground rainwater storage, and is testing an east west orientation when facing south is not possible.
National Trust Morden Hall has also been nominated as its renovation of the Morden Hall’s 19th Century stable yard (pictured above) means it is expected to be the most energy efficient historic building in the country. All energy used to power the facilities within the building will be generated on-site from renewable sources, including a newly installed Archimedes Screw – a micro hydroelectric turbine in the river Wandle which flows through the park, the first turbine of its kind in London.
With the shortlist featuring a spectrum of entrants, from micro-businesses and social enterprises to charities and international financial institutions, this year’s Sustainable City Awards demonstrate that organisations with a range of resources can positively transform their environmental impact.
Simon Mills, head of sustainability at the City of London Corporation, said, “It’s encouraging to see a record breaking number of entrants to the eleventh annual Sustainable City Awards, all of whom are rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in to sustainability. The impressive shortlisted entrants, including PRP Architects and Morden Hall, are throwing down the green gauntlet and inspiring other organisations to spearhead sustainability.”
A full list of categories and nominations can be view on www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/sca.
