The Open University Building 12

The Open University set out to close the gap between low-energy design targets and how buildings actually perform day to day.

The aim was simple – create an office that feels comfortable, works naturally and uses less energy, without making life complicated for the people inside it.

Designing around comfort and performance

Building 12 was shaped to passively moderate its internal environment, using the fabric and form of the building itself. We delivered architecture, cost management and sustainability consultancy services, working closely with the wider team through a collaborative framework.

Thermal mass construction, natural daylight, passive ventilation and night cooling work together to reduce reliance on mechanical systems. Solar chimneys draw air through the building, while deep glazing reveals and external brise soleil cut glare and unwanted heat gain.

Planted courtyards pull daylight, fresh air and green views deep into the plan. Roof gardens boost biodiversity and manage rainwater naturally. The result is a workplace that feels calm, bright and easy to move through.

Giving people more control over their environment

A key move was putting control back in the hands of the people using the building.

Windows, ventilation louvres and stack vents can all be adjusted locally, allowing occupants to respond instinctively to changing conditions. Lighting and blinds follow the same principle – simple, intuitive, user-led.

And it works. Passive night-time cooling keeps internal temperatures stable, even during periods of high summer heat. Spaces stay comfortable without constant mechanical intervention.

A flagship building for low-energy design

Building 12 is among the first office buildings in the UK to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating.

Renewable systems, including photovoltaic panels, solar thermal and ground source heat pumps, support the wider passive strategy, cutting operational energy use. Materials and systems were selected to last, keeping maintenance simple and performance consistent over time.

The result is a workplace that proves what low-energy design can really deliver – comfortable, practical and built around the people who use it every day.