We were asked to revisit an outline approval for a new build office building in North York. Working within the fixed parameters of the outline approval, we concentrated on making a low-energy workplace with maximum daylight and a façade design which breaks up a long elevation.

The fixed dimensions imposed by the outline approval precluded a passive environmental strategy. Instead, high-performance building fabric, airtightness and detailing, combined with mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, will create a building which conserves its energy well.

Introducing northlights allows a large amount of even daylight into the centre of the deep plan. The rear face of the northlights supports arrays of photovoltaic panels, the south-facing plane being an ideal location for these. An all-electric design means that the building partially powers itself.

A site next to an industrial estate, with views of the roofs of many industrial sheds seen from varying angles, prompted the shallow, angled parapet, which also aids in visually breaking to the long façade.