Portcullis House was officially opened to provide offices for Members of Parliament and their staff, supplementing the limited space in the Palace of Westminster and surrounding buildings. It was a requirement of the brief that the building should set an example in energy saving and this has had a profound effect on its structure and features.
Savawatt controls were installed to kitchen refrigeration equipment with estimated savings on electricity to the kitchens based in Portcullis House of 32 per cent for the year and 45 per cent for the main House of Commons kitchen.