Coulsdon Audi has opened for business after successfully achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating on the BREEAM assessment scale. A first for the UK, the dealership represents a flagship facility in south London, greatly increasing the brand’s presence and reinforcing its sustainable aspirations.

Contributing to this achievement is the approach to the use of and sources of energy. Considerate passive design reduces the energy load of the building, whilst approximately 15% of its energy consumption is generated from on-site renewable sources.

Large clear glazing to the double height showroom provides good quality display lighting and creates a healthy environment for staff and customers. In the workshop, polycarbonate cladding provides diffuse north light whilst preventing unnecessary solar gain, both reducing the energy load and improving the working environment for technicians.

A sustainable urban drainage system ensures that the building’s impact is minimised. A rainwater harvesting system also collects water from the extensive roof area and uses it for WC flushing and car valeting, therefore avoiding the unnecessary use of potable water.

Careful specification was also essential in attaining an ‘Excellent’ rating, ranging from the provision of the lowest-flushing WC on the market to the use of A-rated building materials. The Practice drew upon its motor dealership expertise to ensure that the sustainable targets were met without compromising the functionality of the dealership.

This project is the third project to be delivered for the Audi brand by the Practice and is part of a broad range of projects within the Volkswagen Group.