Materials have been sourced for minimal environmental impact, to be maintenance free, of proven technology and recyclable. The local climate does not provide for major climatic benefits, so the priority is to reduce heat loss by super-insulation. Ground floor units are rainscreened with brickwork or shingles, upper floors will employ a 'renderlath' system. Conservatories feature in most flats providing passive solar gain to living spaces orientated into the south-facing courtyard. The development will be heated with a district heating system, the primary heat source being reject condensate from the North British Distillery, available at negligible running cost.
Natural ventilation is encouraged by a passive stack vent system.
Provisions include for the retrofitting of photovoltaic panels to power internal and external lighting, if and when practical cost-effective and environmentally effective products are available. Parkland between the development and Gorgie Road providing informal play and recreation space. Perimeter allotments, interconnected with bramble hedgerow and wildlife habitat. Kindergarten playspace bounded by fruit-tree bushes and focusing on a 'teaching tree'. Private gardens for ground floor flats are bounded by beech hedgerow to the street, and form 'balcony' decks around the courtyard.