Ambassadors for sustainability? Delivering embassies for the 21st century

Embassies are valuable strategic assets, but problems like remote locations, turbulent markets and exchange rate fluctuations affect the governments' abilities to control costs and make the best use of those assets.

Like the rest of the UK Government, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is searching for innovative ways to reduce its carbon footprint and save money at the same time. Mace's John Jo Hammill who worked on the programme spells out the challenges and opportunities.

Fortunately, creative design and sustainable construction can reduce the life cycle cost and maximise the value of tight government budgets. At Embassy magazine’s November 2010 Sustainable Embassies event, Mace operations director John Jo Hammill explained how Mace has been involved in the design, management and sustainable construction of a number of British embassies around the world. Speaking alongside former Energy Minister David Kidney to an invited audience of UK based diplomats, John Jo revealed how focusing on sustainability can reduce the life cycle cost of these buildings and maximise value.

With more than 4,000 buildings including embassies, high commission and consular offices, ambassadorial residences, prestige and historical buildings and staff accommodation, the FCO ‘s large estate in 279 different locations provides important settings for public and private functions and crucial context for displaying British identity locally. Mace has completed embassies in Brussels, Manila, Harare, Algiers, Madrid and Warsaw, as well as facilities in the UK. We have seen from experience the importance of these buildings in communicating environmental leadership through sustainable design and construction.

1. Sustainability means harder working spaces

Sustainable design can correlate directly to reduced maintenance costs and create a more pleasant working environment for staff. The British Embassy in Manila is an obvious case study as it is the first building in the Philippines to be assessed by BREEAM and receive a BREEAM “excellent” rating. Mace acted as design and build contractor for the building which was opened in 2008. The building and its accolades demonstrate the UK’s commitment to sustainable and less carbon intensive development. The building incorporated a number of energy reduction measures such as:

Solar panels for water heating
High ceilings for air circulation
Large windows for natural lighting
Energy-efficient and motion-sensor lighting
Water irrigation for plants, and recycled water for toilets

The embassy is an outstanding example of how to build a sustainable building not just in terms of reducing emissions but in creating a usable space. This example demonstrates that sustainability is not just about environmental impact; it is also about the social well-being of the people in that space.

2. Sustainability requires successful partnerships

Completed in July 2009, Mace also acted as design and build contractor for the new building to house the British Embassy in Warsaw. Hailed as a successful example of international partnership working, Mace worked with the FCO to develop the distinctive 4,300 square metre building, which was designed to feature a number of environmental measures to reduce energy consumption. Examples include the use of a double façade with a one metre deep cavity. The façade acts as an environmental barrier to the harsh Polish winters and warm summers. Mechanical louvres at the top and bottom of the cavity are closed in winter to retain the heat, while in summer they can be opened to cool the building. The heating and cooling system inside the building has variable flow and adjusts in accordance with fluctuating temperatures outside. These combined solutions significantly reduce the building’s energy consumption. All heating needs for the building are generated from a connection to Warsaw’s district heating system, negating the need for a boiler.

A key part of the success in the project was the relationship established between the UK and Polish designers, which brought the best of each country’s experience to the project.

3. Sustainability means preparing for the future now

In the years to come, sustainable and cost-efficient buildings will be the norm for the FCO. The examples of Manila and Warsaw show how buildings are of vital importance in their role of enhancing positive perceptions and engaging the public, and so must demonstrate environmental leadership through sustainable design and construction.

The sustainable embassies event was attended by those interested in how both the FCO and other foreign ministries from around the world have reduced their carbon footprint and the practical ways in which greener embassies can be achieved. John Jo and Russell attended to share their experience, and to discuss the current range of projects which Mace is designing for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and how the team is incorporating lessons learnt around the world to build in sustainability principles within cost-effective developments.

To find out more, please contact:

John Jo Hammill 
Operations Director
john.jo.hammill@macegroup.com