The ARCC network and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) have once again joined forces to coordinate the 2017 design challenge on the use of green infrastructure as a building service.

The competition asked for designs for office buildings (existing or in planning) that demonstrate how both indoor and outdoor green infrastructure can contribute to the health, wellbeing and productivity of staff, while simultaneously improving the building’s energy efficiency and climatic resilience.

The interaction of indoor plants with heating, cooling, acoustic management, air quality, staff productivity and wellbeing is an exciting and growing area of research: the benefits of green infrastructure don’t need to remain outside the building entrance.

The 2017 winners are Stephen Handley and Louise Handley from Amey with their designs for  the refurbishment of a recycling centre in Slough, incorporating green walls, green roofs, raingardens and indoor vertical farming. See more details here.