![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FEden-MakeArchitects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=118&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=de58f6e59c1f8ed1f797d1ae267887e6 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FEden-MakeArchitects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=236&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=c08acd1fc491cdbef5000eb942fbc302 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FEden-MakeArchitects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=432&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=d65166381713a5209c04db099cd1cc58 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FEden-MakeArchitects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=576&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=6b5a24114fd1afd97220d136ddae8635 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FEden-MakeArchitects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=788&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=c8ef40ffbafde9836e07eb31f5deacb3 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FEden-MakeArchitects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=900&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=f08d1ad6ffdff1f1dd11da84b4b783d3 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FEden-MakeArchitects-6-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1080&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=a4052a25482fd4de273fa2735bc45de8 1920w)
Fire: Class B-s2-d0
Eden is a 12-storey speculative office building, around 49m at the highest occupied floor. At ground level, the double-height inset facade line provides a clear connection between building occupiers and those walking or cycling past. Above, from the first to eleventh floors on the north, east and south elevations, as well as on either side of the core on the west elevation, is a blanket of living organic materials with intermittent punch windows. These provide natural light and thermal gain to occupiers, plus views across the city in every direction.
Our ambition was to maximise the living wall as much as possible. Working alongside fire engineers OFR to understand key guidance documents – including AD B, BS EN 13501-1, and Fire Performance of Green Roofs and Walls – we were able to identify the site’s restraints and opportunities. Given the building height, distances to relevant boundaries, and the ratio of living wall to glazing, our external surfaces needed to meet a fire classification of B-s3-d2 or better. The ANS modular living wall system we used on Eden is tested to comply with BS EN 13501-1 to exceed the brief and achieve Class B-s2-d0.
While our design considerations have ensured the risk of fire spread is mitigated as far as reasonably practical, careful consideration of the irrigation and maintenance strategy has lessened it further. Recycled rainwater will be used to irrigate the living wall daily via a network of hidden vertical and horizontal pipes feeding the plant cassettes. The amount of water will be continuously monitored and adjusted remotely according to the local weather and health of the plants.
This strategy will ensure the plants remain in good health throughout the year; any that are struggling or less able to cope will be periodically removed. A benefit to using multiple species is that if one fails to flourish, there’s an opportunity to replace it with a more robust variety. The upkeep and longevity of any living wall very much depends on this commitment.
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Facade: 0.15 W/m2·K
ECF set a challenging brief for Eden, laying the foundation for a holistic approach to sustainability. As a result, it is one of a handful of LETI Pioneer projects and has been designed in line with the UK Green Building Council Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework definition to achieve Net Zero Carbon in operation. The project is also targeting BREEAM ‘Outstanding’, Wired Platinum, WELL (Enabled) and, most ambitiously, an operational 5.5 stars (out of 6) in NABERS UK’s Design for Performance scheme – the world’s leading environmental performance rating tool.
The building envelope, and particularly the performance of the backing wall hidden behind our green veil, is integral to this. It achieves 0.15 W/m2·K U-value, 0.30 G-value, and fabric air permeability of 2m3/h.m2 @ 50Pa – benchmarks typically associated with Passivhaus standards.
The process to satisfy these conditions has been very challenging; however, our fabric-first design approach has significantly reduced heat loss through the backing wall, minimising reliance on the building services installation. On site we’ve worked with specialist subcontractors and material suppliers to ensure the wall construction, with its combination of low-tech materials, satisfies our ambitions without compromising on product warranties.
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Seeing Eden grow
Seeing Eden grow has been a magical journey.
I was fortunate enough to visit the ANS Nursery to see the young plugs, some no bigger than a thumbnail, being planted into the modular cassettes first-hand. It’s been very satisfying to see those mature and be installed on the building. Site visits are exciting, especially as we get warmer weather. A few of the plants have established themselves and are even starting to bloom, adding a variety of hues to the elevations. Seeing daffodils and bluebells grow on a building is very surreal – and those are just two of many species. I’m keen to see how the building reacts to the changing climates and adapts accordingly in the coming years.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FRahul-Eden-MakeArchitects-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=69bd0f09e42a0ebf5f3c380ef4c2ea0e 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FRahul-Eden-MakeArchitects-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=d0e3e7f5bad87aae65811f7c2e903ca1 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FRahul-Eden-MakeArchitects-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=9e55acef64c0bd476f69d9a0e32c5ae4 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FRahul-Eden-MakeArchitects-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=3970795c872c81ca4a678d81e5b42478 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FRahul-Eden-MakeArchitects-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=cde225fd628761cf18c8c451d60ac560 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FRahul-Eden-MakeArchitects-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=53b17f09ad6c82cda2e56cbbb8e880df 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F06%2FRahul-Eden-MakeArchitects-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=4999d3c8262c48b017026956c4255a86 1920w)
It’s also exciting to see the project being so well received by planners, residents and businesses alike. Several floors of the building have already found tenants, and more are following. There have been several articles written about the project, and I’m sure once complete it will gain even more attention.
From the very beginning, we discussed doing something a bit different. I think we’ve achieved just that.
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