Bunhill 2 recycles energy in a lacy pink coat

Building Bunhill 2 Energy Centre

Location Islington, London

Concept architect Cullinan Studio

Delivery architect McGurk Architects

Building type Infrastructure

This is the first ever scheme to take an underground train network’s waste heat and use it to provide low-cost, greener heat to local homes and public buildings as well as provide cooling to the Tube in the summer.

The mayor of London brought together Islington Borough Council and Transport for London to form the outstanding partnership that has delivered this project. Bunhill 2 adds 550 homes and a primary school to the existing district heating network, which currently serves 800 homes and two leisure centres in Islington. It reduces annual CO₂ emissions by 500t, lowers heating bills, contributes to the capital’s zero carbon commitments, improves air quality and makes it more energy self-sufficient. The expansion of district heating networks could achieve 63% of London’s demand by 2050.

Commissioned by Islington Council, Cullinan Studio’s design uses high quality materials that link to the infrastructure heritage of the site. Cladding is recycled aluminium, cast aluminium from waste sources and low carbon, vitreous-coated mild steel. Designed to be demountable, it allows for the replacement of entire containerised plant assemblies. The upper storeys’ cut-out pattern responds to varying degrees of ventilation needed for equipment behind, giving the facade dynamism and transparency. Artwork panels by Toby Paterson tesselate along the base, informing and engaging the community while also help to transform a prominent site along City Road that had been unsightly for decades. The building is now a beacon of how collaborative thinking and work can improve lives, lower costs and waste and  make inroads towards preventing climate destruction.

MacEwen Award judge Tumpa Fellows said: ‘This is a great example of how you can make things aesthetically pleasing even when you’re dealing with climate change and its social impacts.’ Meanwhile, judge Beth Bourrelly commented: ‘It is fantastic in terms of technology and sustainability.’

See more MacEwen shortlisted projects here