Following an initial four year commission to explore environmental sustainability in superstore design the Millennium Greenwich store represented a complete re-think of traditional supermarket design. Every aspect of the standard retail ‘shed’ was reassessed to maximise energy efficiency, minimise the impact on the environment and improve the experience for customers. When it opened, the store scored the highest ever official environmental rating for a retail building with a perfect 31 out of 31 points, and was the first store to be awarded an “excellent” BREEAM rating. Key design features of this pioneering building include a north-lit sales area creating a comfortable market environment; under floor heating, cooling and passive ventilation; earth sheltering, bore holes feeding CHP plant via the London aquifer and an annual saving in energy usage. The low energy design also incorporated photovoltaics, wind turbines and recycled materials throughout and many of its innovative features are now being replicated throughout the world.