Case Study: Breakthrough Properties achieves embodied-carbon reduction for Vitrum with Thornton Tomasetti

Breakthrough Properties targets 0% embodied carbon reduction with Thornton Tomasetti

Breakthrough Properties, a developer of purpose-built life-sciences facilities, sought to push the boundaries of sustainability for its new Vitrum laboratory building in Cambridge, U.K. Their challenge was to achieve BREEAM Outstanding certification and set a new standard for ambitious embodied-carbon reduction. To meet this challenge, they engaged Thornton Tomasetti to provide integrated carbon consulting, structural design, façade engineering, and protective design services from the project's inception.

Thornton Tomasetti implemented a holistic, integrated design solution. This included early carbon tracking, an optioneering phase to identify efficient systems, and the use of innovative materials like high-recycled-content aluminum and temperature-dependent concrete. The result was a significant reduction in embodied carbon, achieving a 0% increase from the stringent LETI 2030 baseline. Thornton Tomasetti's efforts also helped the project divert waste from landfill and achieve a minimum 10% biodiversity net gain.

Breakthrough Properties