The Old Oak Common and Park Royal development is one of the UK’s largest regeneration projects, aiming to provide 25,000 new homes and 65,000 new jobs. To achieve this, a high density urban environment is proposed, with densities that have not been achieved in the UK to date. Another key aspiration for the development is to create a high quality and resource efficient urban form that enhances placemaking and wellbeing and reduces energy use.

We have been appointed to develop an approach to appraise wellbeing and energy efficiency and support the development of the masterplan, urban layout and building massing.

An environmental analysis framework has been developed, based on a review of published research, design guides, latest modelling tools and consultation with experts. The framework sets out performance metrics, benchmark scales and an appraisal methodology to evaluate internal daylight, internal sunlight, outdoor sunlight, urban wind and energy efficiency. It differentiates between the masterplanning stage, when several building blocks need to be tested without detailed information being available, and the building design stage, when more detailed calculations are feasible.