High Performing Buildings – September's Roundup

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23 September 2021

In this month's high performing buildings roundup, we are focussing on commercial real estate that's achieving environmental and social excellence.

Providing an attractive and friction-free workplace to entice employees has taken on renewed urgency since the widespread adoption of home working. Employers are having to promote office space features in a way never before seen, particularly as UK legislation now means that workers can request home working from day one of employment.

How is the commercial real estate industry using socially-responsible features to sell their workspaces?

 

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10 Brindleyplace, Birmingham

 

CBRE’s £40 million transformation of 10 Brindleyplace, Birmingham, attempts to set a benchmark for the reinvention of office space in the city.

The redevelopment will combine buildings 10 and 8 Brindleyplace into one building to create a single floor by floor open office space of 212,000 sq ft over twelve floors and deliver one of Birmingham’s largest available floorplates at over 27,000 sq ft.

The building has an all-electric system powered by green energy, with 840 sq ft of on-site solar panels. Multiple green roofs and outside terraces support biodiversity and wellbeing.

10 Brindleyplace is also the first office in the city to receive the Fitwell accreditation, a signal to employees, residents and investors that wellness has been a priority within the design, development, and operations of the building.

Phil Crowther, Director at Willmott Dixon Interior, who will deliver the full refit and refurbishment of the building, said:

“Our project team is making excellent progress in the reinvention of existing office space at 10 Brindleyplace. As a business, we are committed to supporting the development of a greener built environment and have set ourselves some of the toughest science-based sustainability targets in the industry. It is pleasing to be delivering one of the most sustainable office environments that Birmingham will have to offer for many years to come.”

In terms of CSR commitments, The Building Lives Academy social impact programme will support 15 long-term unemployed candidates with onsite experience to help them achieve industry qualifications. The Academy provides candidates with a site visit included as well as sessions around the construction sector. Participants will also get their CSCS cards and Level 1 Health and Safety.

 

Picture: a photograph of the roof terrace at 10 Brindleyplace

 

Økern Portal, Norway

 

With Norway being renowned as one of the greenest countries in the world, it’s no surprise that some of the most impressive sustainable office spaces can be found there.

However, what makes Økern Portal such a striking example of a green office starts with the very fabric of the building.

The 14,600 square-metre façade is made with a minimum of 75% recycled end-of-life aluminium, Hydro CIRCAL 75R, one of the most sustainable aluminium alloys.

The European average emissions rate is 8.6 kg of CO2 per kg of aluminium. With this recycled aluminium, this number decreases to around 2.0 kg of CO2 for each kg of aluminium, the lowest CO2 emissions on the market.

 

Picture: a photograph of the exterior of Økern Portal. Image Credit: DARK Arkitekter

 

The project, designed by DARK Arkitekter, has an area of 80,000 sqm - including office spaces, a Radisson RED hotel, common areas and food court - and has been developed under the highest energy efficiency standards.

The design of the building also advocates for the restoration of biodiversity through expansive green roofs and local crops. Energy consumption, pollution and the supply of materials have been carefully audited to ensure sustainable construction and an extended lifecycle, while complying with the standards for obtaining the BREEAM Excellent classification.

 

Amtron Office Assam, India

 

Amtron office in the Tech city of Bongora is being dubbed a “ new-age workplace”, owing to its pedestrian-friendly layout and sustainability features.

The complex has been designed in such a way that car drop-offs and pick-ups are at opposite ends, relieving traffic jams and allowing pedestrians to walk along the front of the plaza.

 

Picture: a photograph of. Image Credit: Design Forum International.

Other sustainability elements of the project include:

 

• Rainwater harvesting and green terraces
• Sun-tracking louvres that minimise heat gain and reduce the need for air conditioning
• Solar-reflective glazing for temperature regulation
• A solar roof

For more deep dives on high performing buildings, explore our Building, Refurbishment and Fit-Out section.

Picture: a photograph showing the interior of 10 Brindleyplace

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 23 September 2021

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