Efficiencies

Published: 29 July, 2010

• I WAS thrilled to attend the reopening of Kentish Town baths and sports centre complex on Saturday.

It’s a glittering renovation of which the entire borough should be proud.

The current parlous economy dictates that such projects are unlikely to be commissioned for the forseeable future but this building is much-loved and will be cherished for many decades to come. 

Today we have a similar opportunity which I will be pressing Camden to take to create a similar exemplar for future generations.

I was pleased that the new cabinet has decided to proceed with the new Camden HQ building, to be located on the site of the existing gas-holder (which is being moved). 

It’s good news that the deal with King’s Cross’s developers Argent will grant the borough a 999-year lease on what should be a building with enlightened design and energy efficiency. 

Just as the Kentish Town baths innovatively drew the water from a ground source pump and depended on natural ventilation, the HQ building can be equally innovative.

It’s important that it will be built to the very highest standard available of energy efficiency, known as Passivhaus.
My concern is for more than achieving CO2 targets.

Passivhaus both minimises energy consumption and concentrates design on air-tightness to create a draught-free and more comfortable working and living environment. 

But Camden’s officers, perhaps understandably, are concerned that in this country few buildings have yet been completed to this exacting standard, yet it is one which our own planners encourage to commercial applicants.

The fear is that it may result in a higher up-front capital cost, a maximum increment of 7 per cent.

But, against that, what is absolutely certain is that any such incremental building cost will certainly be fully recovered within an absolute maximum of 14 years (of a 999-year life) and, given the prospect of energy price rises, almost certainly a far shorter period.

Which is why, along with Alexis Rowell, I am working towards seeking to persuade Camden’s new sustainability cabinet member member, Angela Mason, to insist that we specify Passivhaus as the design requirement.

CLLR PAUL BRAITHWAITE
Lib Dem, Cantelowes ward