One Brighton: An Urban Eco-Living Success Story
One Brighton is a shining example of eco-friendly living in an urbanised area. The apartment complex offers residents the opportunity to live sustainably, while also allowing them to enjoy an urban lifestyle.
Commercially, it has been highly successful and has remained a sought-after block for Brighton residents throughout its 15 years. It has also provided affordable housing in one of the most expensive areas in the country.
Here we will be breaking down what makes One Brighton such a fantastic example of a sustainable development; from the experience afforded to its residents, to the genius behind its construction.
Building Overview
Built as a joint venture between BioRegional Quintain and Crest Nicholson, One Brighton was completed in 2009 and flats flew off the shelves throughout 2010. This commercial success during the midst of a recession was a strong sign of buy in from the local community.
The development includes 172 flats, a café, a community space and 28 allotments. 54 of the flats are categorised as “affordable homes”, a welcome addition for an area only very slightly less expensive than London.
Construction
The building’s construction is key to its eco-friendly title. The block was built as a carbon neutral venture and came in within the normal cost range for such a project.
It is built with Britain’s greenest concrete (post-tensioned with 50% cement GGBS replacement, 100% recycled aggregate), as well as natural clay blocks and wood fibre insulation.
The high level of insulation provided, as well as the east-west positioning of the block, have been very successful in maintaining comfortable temperatures throughout the seasons. Triple-glazed windows also prevent heat loss, while higher, exposed concrete ceilings allow for heat to escape as needed in the warmer months.
Power
If the block was not unique enough due to its construction, having a bio-mass boiler, photovoltaic panels and its own on-site energy company may tip the scales. The building provides around half of the energy required by its residents, with the remainder sourced from “green electricity”.
A report by BioRegional, carried out in 2014, stated a 67% reduction in carbon emissions when compared to the average UK home. Residents are reportedly very happy with this from an eco-friendly perspective, but it has had little to no effect on their bank balances.
Residents share the cost of the on-site team needed to keep the building running as well as a standing charge for their various power sources. Most reported no significant difference between their own energy bills and those they knew in standard housing.
One unexpected problem described by BioRegional is actually a power surplus for the building:
“Because the buildings are using less energy than predicted, the boilers are actually too big. In summer they can use as little as 30% of the total load. In hindsight we’d probably have a boiler half the size. It’s really a question of design optimisation and unfortunately a lot of consulting engineers don’t yet have enough experience of renewable energy to design the most efficient system.”
Building a Community
A large part of the building’s design was focussed on creating a true community for residents. Public access is maintained through the centre courtyard – a decision developers say was made to avoid a closed-in effect that may lead to isolation, anti-social behaviour or criminal activity.
The rooftop raised beds described as “allotments’ are immensely popular with residents and are hotly pursued when they become available. These were built into the design for two reasons – to allow residents to grow produce and reduce their carbon footprint even further, but also to foster community.
The development is purposefully “car-free”, with no car parking facilities provided at all. This was and still is a very bold move, but the success of the block shows this was not an issue in One Brighton’s case. It certainly helps that it is built a 4 minute walk from Brighton’s main train station and is connected by a myriad of bus routes, cycle lanes and the city of Brighton within walking distance.
BioRegional defended the decision in their 2014 report:
“It saves build costs, it saves residents money, it provides more space for apartments, which makes it a more attractive commercial decision, and it encourages more collaborative consumption, such as car sharing and clubs.”
In addition to the café, allotments and encouragement to form “car clubs” for travel when needed, there are also extensive, built in recycling facilities and a “green lifestyle officer” is employed to oversee the management of the building and advise residents of how to partake in green living.
Conclusion
One Brighton exemplifies how sustainable design combined with community focused features can create a harmonious and ecofriendly urban living environment. It serves as an inspiring model for future developments aiming to balance environmental responsibility with quality of life and will be a well-recognised part of the Brighton landscape for years to come.