Sustainability

our commitment to the environment

Michael Sparks Associates have a long established and robust record of sustainable architecture and masterplanning, with an impressive portfolio to complement this. As early adopters of The Planet Mark scheme, and one of the first architects to be accredited, the practice has been committed to achieving annual reductions in its carbon footprint since 2011. Our efforts have been used by some of the practice’s clients in contributing towards achieving a zero-carbon project supply chain. More recently the practice has been working with clients to assist in promoting a Social Value Charter, linked to a low carbon strategy, as part of corporate commitment to achieving positive outcomes to commercial development.

In working with the major industrial developers, the practice has had experience of a number of low energy and energy efficient technologies, such as solar and wind power, combined heat and power (CHP), grey water recycling and biomass. For instance, Michael Sparks Associates has been involved in the Sustainable Industries Park (SIPS) in East London, acting for Segro and the Greater London Authority, and also for First Renewable at the Kettering Energy Park which forms a hub for a decentralised energy network, utilising on-site energy generation through a range of different sustainable media, to serve an eastern extension to the town of Kettering.

BREEAM

BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for master planning projects, infrastructure and buildings. It recognises and reflects the value in higher performing assets across the built environment lifecycle, from new construction to in-use and refurbishment.

We are proud to have achieved BREEAM ratings of Outstanding (O), Excellent (E) and Very Good (VG) on the following projects: