Sustainability proves its value
By Alex Housden, MEPC
With the built environment accounting for some 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions, as developers we have a moral imperative to deliver buildings which contribute positively towards the drive to net zero, minimise their carbon footprint and stand the test of time.
Our latest commercial building, Three Chamberlain Square, is forging ahead alongside the Town Hall on Paradise Street. We have begun to successfully realise and measure the carbon savings targeted by the sustainable approach to the design.
Since the commencement of this project in 2020, the design brief has been to deliver best in class energy efficiency for the building in operation, and reduce the upfront carbon used in its construction.
It is why the building has already been certified BREEAM Outstanding at its design stage, sitting alongside the top 1% of non-domestic buildings in the UK in terms of its sustainability credentials.
During the delivery phase the design and construction teams continue to work collaboratively to ensure this brief is met and to fine tune the project to find yet more energy and carbon efficiencies.
Project managers AtkinsRealis led an in-depth session with the whole delivery team earlier this summer to review every stage of the process and challenge the team to drive even greener decisions over the look, feel and function of the building.
Every aspect of the construction of the structure, the sourcing of its materials, and the dedication from its workforce is focused on delivering on this sustainability agenda every single day.
For example, by recycling materials and sourcing locally, the two cores at Three Chamberlain Square, which completed this month, have already saved 60,000 kg of carbon (60 tonnes), the equivalent of:
15,000 loads of laundry – washed and tumble dried
A car driving four times around the world
Brewing two cups of tea a day until the year 3180.
Also, 95% of the reinforcement inside the concrete is recycled
By the use of slim post-tensioned concrete floors with a high percentage of recycled cement replacement product and a 7.5m structural grid, engineers Cundall have already helped cut carbon emissions and future carbon use by being innovative and forward thinking.
With a focus on finding solutions and by testing ideas in front of senior engineers, designers, construction experts and the wider development team, we will continue to progress a deep understanding of the life cycle of the whole project and reduce the carbon impact of the building, as we go.