The scheme provided a programme of alteration works to the existing building fabric to enable the Unicorn Grocery to consolidate the wholefood retail space, and provide an improved working environment with a more sustainable building in terms of reduced carbon emissions. The scope of the improvement works included the following:

a) Provision of a low carbon bio-mass heating system to the storage area; b) Installation of a living ‘green roof’ to the first floor roof above the storage and retail space; c) Porch extension to the entrance area facing the car park; d) Solar thermal panel to the high level roof area to heat water; e) Provision of a lift to improve access to the first floor offices.

The green roof system gives increased thermal insulation with environmental benefits and improved amenity to the first floor office area. The green roof system specification provided a mix of ‘extensive green roof’ area which is a drought resistant low maintenance system consisting of grasses, herbs and succulents such as sedums, and an ‘intensive green roof’ area with planting beds and wet areas (to give increased biodiversity) and a terraced area accessed from the first floor offices.