Draft:Jubilee Wharf

Jubilee Wharf is a mixed-use development in Penryn, Cornwall. It opened in 2007, and houses a number of facilities, including apartments, office space, a nursery, and a restaurant. Jubilee Wharf has attracted significant local and national attention due to its unusual design conceptualised by British architect Bill Dunster. Described as a 'Zero Energy Development' by architects ZEDfactory, the site uses a single biomass boiler for all of its heating and hot water requirements. The development is owned and managed by Robotmother, whose office 'The Brain of Brian' sits on a nearby boat.

History
Jubilee Wharf sits on a former brownfield industrial site, which had fallen into disrepair before redevelopment. Construction began in 2004, after planning permission was granted following initial concerns around the character of the design were moved past. The project was completed in October 2006, at a cost of £3.6m.

Since completion, the company has converted a neighbouring storage facility into a workspace named Jubilee Warehouse. This facility shares a car park with the preexisting development.

In 2023, the four wind turbines which powered the site were taken down and relocated in phases. A spokesperson for Robotmother cited the prohibitively high repair costs as the reason for their removal. They are to be replaced by solar trees in the near future.

Design
The design of Jubilee Wharf mirrors many features of BedZED, the famed London eco-development by the same project architect Bill Dunster. Some left-over windows from BedZED were used in the construction of Jubilee Wharf. The apartments all feature large, glass-fronted indoor conservatory areas, which are separated from the rest of the apartment by sealed doors and windows. Wind cowls sit atop the building, providing ventilation with heat recovery, and preventing the need for residents to open windows in an attempt to increase energy efficiency. Residents also have access to indoor and outdoor private balconies which overlook the Penryn River. These views are shared by the office space, restaurant, and wellness space ZedShed.

The construction of the buildings heavily feature recycled materials, including floorboards from a renovated London home. Although a departure from the stone constructions nearby, the project pays homage to nautical design language (with rounded windows) and that of the local area in its choice of materials and colour. English Heritage described the building as "resulting from a contemporary approach clearly derived from the historical character of the area".

Reaction and awards
The design of the buildings has attracted attention within the local area, eventually becoming a "much-loved landmark" according to local newspaper The Packet. Jonathan Glancey of the Guardian called for more developments like Jubilee Wharf, making reference to its welcoming nature and sustainable features.

In 2007, the development won the Future Proof Award at the Housing Design Awards. In the same year, construction company Midas received a commendation at the Green Construction Awards for its work on the project.

In 2015, Jubilee Warehouse won 'Best Contribution to the Built Environment: Retrofit' at the Cornwall Sustainability Awards.