Sustainability Leaders Awards 2013
40/44
SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
Winner (private sector): Heathrow Terminal 2
This is a "brave" building that incorporates one of the
largest biomass initiatives of its kind in the UK – a whopping
10MW system that will save 13,000 tonnes of carbon a year.
"What a building. This has picked up a load of things
from the Olympics and taken them to another level."
That's what the judges thought of Heathrow's entry,
which outlines the progress at the airport's new £2bn
Terminal 2 (T2).
In the past decade, £11bn has been invested to improve
the experience of the 180,000 people that travel through
Heathrow Airport every day. T2 will embody this. Airlines
are closer together to reduce distance for those after
connecting flights. The building is easy to navigate reducing
stress. The time between plane and exit has been minimised.
But this is a building that's also low on carbon and energy. Caption: L-r Heathrow's head of climate change and environmental strategy
Graham Earl and head of sustainability strategy Elizabeth Hegarty, edie and SB
The focal point is the 'energy centre' where a 10MW
energy and sustainability editor Leigh Stringer and compere Miles Jupp
combined heat and power biomass plant will deliver heating
and cooling to the terminal. This will save 13,000 tonnes of CO2 each year – and reduce Heathrow's annual emissions by 5%. The
annual cost savings will be in the region of £2m, compared with business as usual. Three quarters of the woodchip will be sourced
within a 50-mile radius to reduce haulage costs, road miles and support local businesses.
T2's skylights and 10-metre-high windows will maximise natural light, while the roof's north-facing skylights reduce the need for
artificial lighting. The terminal is also integrated into Heathrow's public transport network including Heathrow Express, the Piccadilly
