Meridian Water Ideas Competition Submission by Marks Barfield Architects, Mikhail Riches & Exploration Architecture

landscape, with additional beneficial uses added according to carefully analysed data - based on wellbeing and economic metrics. These could include, a tool library, a repair café, an upcycling centre, an urban farm, an anaerobic digester, a material reuse depot, a data centre, a brewery, or a floating dairy. Social uses could be co-located to maximise inter-generational or other benefits – for example, a care home with a nursery. At its heart there would be a multi-use social space for markets, festivals and gatherings.

The following comparison of characteristics demonstrates the potential to be explored:

Conventional Systems Ecological Systems

Linear flows of resources Closed loop flows of resources

Disconnected and mono-functional

Densely interconnected and symbiotic

Resistant to change Adapted to constant change

Wasteful Everything is nutrient

Persistent toxins frequently used No persistent toxins

Often centralised and mono-cultural Distributed and diverse

Hierarchically controlled Panarchically self-regulating

Fossil-fuel dependent Run on current solar income

Engineered to maximise one goal

Optimised as a whole system

Extractive Regenerative

Use global resources Use local rerources

Meridian Water : UK’s first urban ecosystem for a circular economyRegenerative by Design

EnvironmentalSynergy

EconomicSynergy

SocialSynergy

We propose a synergistic network that maximises community connection while minimising energy use, embodied carbon and waste. This can be done by integrating different uses to create mutually beneficial synergies – social, economic and environmental. It will be an exemplar of a new economic paradigm in which health and wellbeing can be enhanced while consuming less.

Models like Kalundborg (mentioned in the Sustainability Strategy) provide some of the clues in the way that they are based on the characteristics of ecosystems. Our team has the knowledge and network to take this idea a lot further, applying the latest global thinking to Meridian Water.

The new community could be private car free, rich in a variety of public open space, parks and edible

To date the circular economy has mainly focussed on service models and material information strategies. At Meridian Water there is an opportunity to show a more comprehensive urban application of ecosystem principles.

The TeamWithin our broader team we have the following expertise:

• Architects with a proven track record in delivering prize winning schemes and pioneering knowledge of biomimetic design • Biologists who have studied Eco-Industrial Parks (EIP’s) like Kalundborg and know how to extend the thinking to deliver higher resource efficiency. • Engineers with an understanding of ecosystem models

Example model city, Freiburg, Germany

Meridian Water presents an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how to create a thriving community enjoying a great quality of life within planetary boundaries. Meridian Water could be a circular economy world leader by applying ecosystem models for the first time to urban design.

Meridian Water Ideas Competition Submission by Marks Barfield Architects, Mikhail Riches & Exploration Architecture

Nursery & care homeRepair Cafe

Tool LibraryTowards zero waste

Urban Farm

Regenerative materials

Edible Landscape Floating PV panels

Cargo Bike Delivery Floating dairyWater heat energy circulationElectrical energy circulationServices circulationMaterial flowService flow

Underground Low

/Zero

Carbon Heat Energy District N

etwork

Repair Cafe

Library of Things

Housing

Food MarketAnaerobic Digester

Urban FarmSynergy Centre

Floating PV

Floating Dairy

Heat Energy Centre

Recycle

Reusable Material Depot

CyclicalResources

Data Centre

HotelSchool,Sports & Leisure

Nursery &Care Home

Car FreePark & Cycle, Park & Ride,Deliveries by cargo bikes

Park Life

Regenerative by DesignIntergenerational

Interaction

Synergistic NetworkMaximum community sharing & connection

Minimum energy and waste

O�ce

Retail

Edible Landscape

Waste

Water heat energy circulationElectrical energy circulationServices circulationMaterial flowService flow

Underground Low

/Zero

Carbon Heat Energy District N

etwork

Repair Cafe

Library of Things

Housing

Food MarketAnaerobic Digester

Urban FarmSynergy Centre

Floating PV

Floating Dairy

Heat Energy Centre

Recycle

Reusable Material Depot

CyclicalResources

Data Centre

HotelSchool,Sports & Leisure

Nursery &Care Home

Car FreePark & Cycle, Park & Ride,Deliveries by cargo bikes

Park Life

Regenerative by DesignIntergenerational

Interaction

Synergistic NetworkMaximum community sharing & connection

Minimum energy and waste

O�ce

Retail

Edible Landscape

Waste

Thermal energy : We propose an innovative approach that is distinct from conventional heat neworks. This uses circulated low temperature water so there are no significant heat losses. Heat pumps efficiently transfer the thermal energy between the water and the buildings (heat or cooling according to demand).

Meridian Water : UK’s first urban ecosystem for a circular economy

Electrical power : We propose solar energy generation (on rooftops and potentially floating PV on the nearby reservoirs), distributed using conventional mains networks. A number of the proposed elements (urban farm and thermal energy system) can perform a profitable function in helping to balance the National Grid by using energy when prices are low or even negative.

Meridian Water Ideas Competition Submission by Marks Barfield Architects, Mikhail Riches & Exploration Architecture

Water heat energy circulationElectrical energy circulationServices circulation

The Meridian Water Urban Ecosystem proposes a truly mixed-use community with opportunities to share resources and where use adjacencies provide mutual benefits. For example; 1. Nursery schools next to social care to facilitate social connectedness and combat loneliness.2. A network that shares waste heat.3. Repair and recycling managed locally. 4. Homes that make the most of passive systems, winter solar gain, summer shading and cross ventilation, lead to reduction in fuel poverty.5. Walkable neighbourhoods with play, biodiverse landscape, and multi-use social space for markets, festivals and gatherings.

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Meridian Water : UK’s first urban ecosystem for a circular economyRegenerative by Design

Meridian Water Ideas Competition Submission by Marks Barfield Architects, Mikhail Riches & Exploration Architecture

Marks Barfield Architects is one of the UK’s most versatile and innovative architecture practices. Founded in 1989 by David Marks and Julia Barfield, the practice uses its creative approach to providevisionary, contextual, socially and environmentally aware and technically astute solutions to a broad range of project types that range from schools, offices and cultural and leisure projects to bridges and infrastructure. As the practice that conceived and designed the London Eye, and now British Airways i360, Marks Barfield Architects has grown a studio with a unique entrepreneurial experience, giving it a deep understanding of the development process, as well as valuable insights into fundraising and stakeholder engagement.

Meridian Water : UK’s first urban ecosystem for a circular economyThe Team

Meridian Water

Biologist

Urban FarmSpecialist

Urban Designer

Ecologist

LandscapeArchitect

Artist

Economist

CostConsultant

Engineers withecosystem expertise

Mikhail Riches is an architectural practice specialising in housing design and mixed-use neighbourhood masterplanning, with a focus on environmental and socially inclusive design. They have a particular expertise in passive environmental design that optimises natural assets to improve a buildings performance within tight budgets. Their public realm designs focus on creating walkable neighbourhoods with car-free spaces for social interaction and play. Their housing project Goldsmith Street for Norwich City Council is the largest Passivhaus social housing scheme in the UK and won the Stirling Prize 2019.

Exploration Architecture focuses on regenerative design and solutions for the circular economy. The company was founded in 2007 by Michael Pawlyn who was previously part of the core team of architects at Grimshaw that designed the Eden Project. Exploration’s projects include a zero waste textiles factory, an office building designed using biomimicry and a concept for an ultra-low energy data centre. Design solutions inspired by biology are a key part of Exploration’s regenerative approach. Michael Pawlyn is also a well-known public speaker on the future of cities and innovation, and author of a book titled Biomimicry in Architecture.