British High Commission opens UK’s greenest diplomatic building in Ottawa
The UK’s greenest diplomatic building in the world has officially opened in Ottawa.
British High Commission staff moved into their new office on Sussex Drive last week. The new building is located within the Earnscliffe National Historic Site which has been the official residence for British High Commissioners for over 90 years.
The new high commission is on track to be the greenest building in the UK’s diplomatic network, targeting LEED Gold certification.
“Our new high commission, located within the historic grounds of Earnscliffe, not only reinforces our shared history with Canada but also represents a significant investment in the modern UK-Canada bilateral relationship,” said Susannah Goshko, British High Commissioner to Canada. “The greenest building in our diplomatic network, it is a great demonstration of our shared commitment to environmental sustainability.”
Green credentials of the new building include diverting 98% of construction waste away from landfill, and incorporating wood salvaged from the Ottawa River and stone from the original residence coach house into the new design. The office aims to be economically sustainable by operating at a lower cost thanks to its energy efficiency rating which is currently on track to perform at 18% above the baseline average.
Water consumption will also be reduced via environmental features incorporated into the landscape design, including native and drought resistant vegetation that mitigates the need for irrigation. Low flow plumbing fixtures throughout the building also aim to reduce annual water consumption by up to 30% above the baseline average.
The British High Commission at 80 Elgin Street was constructed in 1962 and served as the first official offices for the UK High Commission in Canada for over 60 years. It was purchased by the National Capital Commission in 2022 following a decision to construct a new high commission in the grounds of Earnscliffe.
The project was designed as a joint effort between the Ottawa and London offices of HOK. The project team also includes Pomerleau Inc., WYG and MACE/Tetratech.
The high commission hopes to receive full LEED certification for the facility later this year.