Mike Cook, Director of Arts and Culture at Avison Young reports from our latest event exploring green performance: making cultural buildings sustainable.

Cultural buildings stand as symbols of art, history, and community. In a recent NLA debate, Green performance: making cultural buildings sustainable, industry leaders shared challenges and opportunities of designing and renovating cultural buildings that inspire and stand the test of time.

A higher degree cultural client engagement in the design process was noted. Architects and engineers in this sector find their clients pushing to be at the forefront of sustainable design. More than in other sectors, these clients drive environmentally responsible ways to deliver culture, aligning readily with the broader sustainability movement.

The long neglect suffered by many cultural buildings over the years cannot be ignored. Nor that institutions grapple with financial constraints, with chief concerns being the safety of staff and patrons and the preservation of collections. This backdrop underscores the bold ambition to lead the way in environmentally progressive architecture. Working with environmentally conscious clients common in the arts, the ambition is truly inspiring. 

The discussion featured presentations from industry experts who are actively championing this cause. Andrew Wylie of Buro Happold, Will Mesher of Haworth Tompkins, and Tom Watson of Heyne Tillet Steel left us with great possibilities.

Andrew Wylie shared how the pandemic-induced pause in live performances and in-person interactions created reflection among theatre clients and consultants. This extended a general commitment to sustainability into the creation of the practical Theatre Green Book – a resource offering toolkit advice across productions, buildings, and operations, empowering non-experts to develop bespoke decarbonisation plans for their venues.

Tom Watson highlighted the restoration of the Grade II* listed Battersea Arts Centre, a project blending heritage preservation with modern performance. Despite fire damage, Heyne Tillett Steel ingeniously incorporated high-level access walkways into new trusses, supported by original masonry minimising structure and therefore environmental impact. Their commitment to assessing structural carbon embodied in projects provides valuable insights into heritage building refurbishments.

Will Mesher emphasised that sustainability solutions must adapt to the unique challenges posed by each original building. Haworth Tompkins’ work on the 10,000m² Theatr Clwyd refurbishment demonstrated the evolving nature of sustainability in cultural buildings. 

Passive museum projects were briefly touched upon, highlighting the importance of upgrading insulation in creating the potential for ground source heat pumps to replace gas heating systems.

The conversation highlighted the inadequacy of generic embodied carbon benchmarks in cultural buildings. Unlike office spaces, venues are in use for extended hours, requiring a unique metric to assess operational energy. 

In conclusion, the discussion leaves us with a resounding message: cultural buildings represent a unique challenge and an exciting opportunity to lead in sustainable design. With the commitment and innovation displayed by these clients, architects and engineers, we can look forward to a future where cultural buildings not only endure but also lead the way in environmental responsibility.