Watch a “Powered By Ecotricity” video about the i360 here
British Airways i360, one of Britain’s most striking tourist attractions, has taken the next step in its sustainable journey and switched to green energy from Ecotricity.
The multi-award-winning attraction is a giant glass viewing pod which glides up gently to 450ft above Brighton seafront to offer unrivalled views of the city, the South Downs National Park and the Sussex coastline.
BA i360 was constructed with sustainability at its heart, with maximum energy efficiency, limited emissions and around 60 per cent of the power required to run the attraction self-generated as the viewing pod descends.
Conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye, BA i360 can take 175 passengers on each 20-minute ‘flight’, to offer fantastic views of city landmarks, artwork on the rooftops, offshore windmills and the rolling coastline stretching away to the horizon.
Julia Barfield, chair and co-creator of British Airways i360, said: “Since the beginning we’ve tried to have all of our buildings as sustainable as they possibly can be and this is no exception, as around sixty percent of the energy used by the pod is generated when it descends.
“I’ve personally been a customer of Ecotricity for many years in my house and in my architectural practice and I was keen for the i360 to be on supply too.
“I think that climate change is the most important issue we have – we clearly need to use as much renewable energy as we possibly can and Ecotricity deserves to have all our support.”
Dale Vince, Ecotricity founder, said: “Switching to green energy is one of the biggest things – and the easiest things – that any organisation can do to cut the emissions that cause climate change.
“By switching to green energy, British Airways i360 will reduce the environmental impact of its own operations, while supporting Britain’s energy independence and the green economy.”
About Ecotricity
The world’s first energy company, Ecotricity was founded by former traveller Dale Vince in 1995. The company fights on the three frontiers of energy, transport and food – our biggest sources of climate change emissions in Britain.
In energy, Ecotricity not only supplies 100% green electricity and frack-free green gas, they use their customers’ bills to build new sources of green energy in Britain.
In transport, they built The Electric Highway, the national network of electric car charge points.
And in food, they’re not only leading the way in the energy sector by becoming the only vegan energy supplier available, they turned their local football club, Forest Green Rovers, into the first vegan football club in the world.
The company has recently launched Ecotalk, a green mobile and broadband provider – and will use the profits from Ecotalk to buy land to give back to nature.
About British Airways i360
British Airways i360 is an observation attraction on Brighton seafront which was conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, creators of the London Eye. It opened in August 2016.
Visitors board a giant glass observation pod and glide up gently to 138m (450ft) above Brighton beach to enjoy unfolding views across Brighton & Hove, the South Downs National Park and the beautiful Sussex coastline. ‘Flights’ depart every 30 minutes and the pod carries up to 175 passengers who are free to walk around freely. While on board, they can also enjoy a drink at the Nyetimber Sky Bar which serves a range of refreshments from Sussex including Nyetimber, an award-winning sparkling wine.
At ground level is the British Airways i360 beach building, which houses West Beach Bar & Kitchen, a stylish all-day restaurant with sea views and a large terrace spilling out onto the promenade. Dishes feature ingredients sourced from the local area. The beach building also has flexible beachside events spaces, most with private beach terraces, which can be hired for private functions and can accommodate up to 1,100 people.
British Airways i360 is licensed for weddings and couples can marry in the pod, saying ‘I do’ at 138m above Sussex.
British Airways i360 has worked with the West Pier Trust to reconstruct two of the original West Pier tollbooths using Victorian building techniques. The buildings now grace the entrance to British Airways i360 and house the West Beach Café & Bar and the British Airways i360 ticket office.
The British Airways i360 shop stocks beautiful gifts and use, many of which have been created by local Brighton artists.
A year-round programme of events in the pod includes Sky Dining, Abseiling, Live @ the Sky Bar, Halloween Fright Flights and Santa Flights.
British Airways i360 is owned and operated by Brighton i360 Ltd.
Website: BritishAirwaysi360.com
Twitter: @BA_i360
Instagram: @BA_i360
Facebook: BritishAirwaysi360
Pinterest: @BA_i360
Hashtag: #BAi360
About Marks Barfield Architects
Since its foundation in 1989 by David Marks and Julia Barfield, Marks Barfield Architects has developed a diverse portfolio of work including civic, commercial, cultural, and infrastructure projects. Best known as the architects and entrepreneurs behind the creation of the London Eye, projects range from a Treetop Walkway for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, to the first UK primary University Training School for the University of Cambridge. Commercial projects include the recently refurbished and transformed 82 Baker Street and the new-build Greenwich Gateway Pavilions in London.
The London-based practice has won more than 65 awards for architecture, design excellence, innovation, and sustainability. Its reputation is established by a consistent design approach, the guiding force of which focuses on a thorough understanding of the clients’ and stakeholders’ needs, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the context of the site. Its commitment is to conceive and guide the process that turns often complex and challenging briefs into solutions that bring vitality and enjoyment in to people’s lives whilst acting as a catalyst for economic and environmental transformations.
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