Paradise Birmingham

In recognition of Stress Awareness Month and to coincide with the ongoing installation of the terracotta facade on Three Chamberlain Square, MEPC has this week unveiled three new CGIs of its latest, ground-breaking commercial building.

The trio of images reveal how the interior of this new landmark for the city will not only mirror its exterior appearance but will also showcase a strengthened commitment to the environment and the pivotal role ESG considerations play in workplace productivity and contribute to an enhanced work-life balance.

Three Chamberlain Square, when completed in 2025, will become Birmingham’s most sustainable and amenity-rich commercial building with an emphasis on low embodied and operational carbon as well as highly sustainable and low carbon design and materials.

Additionally, it will be one of the only buildings in the UK outside of London to have both BREEAM Outstanding as well as NABERS 5* ratings having already achieved these at design stage.

However, as much importance is being placed on the health and wellbeing of the people who will eventually work in the building as Three Chamberlain Square itself. Yes, when finished, it will be a stunning piece of architecture with outstanding sustainability credentials, but it will also be a place where, as shown in the new CGIS, on arrival in the spacious reception, the soothing green and gold colour palette and nature-inspired décor will help people feel calmer, more relaxed and a great deal less stressed about the day ahead of them!

Stress Awareness Month has been held every April, since 1992 to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures of the modern stress epidemic. According to the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of UK adults have felt so stressed at some point over the last year that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. For this reason, stress in the workplace and ways to deal with it are of the utmost importance and are being addressed by this milestone project.

Sustainability is built into the DNA of Three Chamberlain Square and will be keenly displayed in the welcoming reception areas. With an abundance of biophilia, timber clad roofing and parquet flooring, occupiers will be treated to a tranquil oasis in the bustling city where they’re going to want to spend time.

With opening windows that will aid superior air quality, and a host of other amenities to make the working day healthier and more productive, Three Chamberlains Square will also reduce the carbon footprint of its occupiers, tenants and visitors alike.

Research from the Harvard Business Review in July 2023, summarised that “the incorporation of natural elements into workplaces demonstrates a positive impact on employee performance and well-being. Studies show exposure to nature at work boosted productivity, helpfulness, and creativity, with no evidence of negative effects – with the integration of nature in workplaces enhancing overall business performance”.*

Lots of ground level activity around the building is shown in the CGIs, with people spilling out into the landscape, creating vibrancy and life at each of the building’s entrances, blurring the boundaries between public realm, shared space and working environment.

Speaking of the project, Alex Housden, Development Manager at Paradise developer and asset manager, MEPC, says:

“One of the overarching concepts at Three Chamberlain Square is its connection to the outside. We will have a roof terrace on the ninth floor of the building to cement our commitment to wellbeing all year round. Additionally, glazing on all sides of the building provides generous daylight and opening windows on all floors allows fresh air in throughout the year.

Bringing the natural world directly onto office floorplates helps workspaces to feel connected to their wider environment and we do this through the use of natural, exposed, organic materials.

“Drawing on the proven correlation between workplace productivity and exposure to nature, this ambitious design creates a working environment that is as collaborative, forward-thinking and adaptable as possible, while also pushing our sustainability aspirations with a low embodied and operational carbon design.”

With unbeatable amenities and connectivity, there’s no doubt that Three Chamberlain Square is set to become a hive of industry in the city centre, but behind the terracotta façade is a building whose foundations are firmly rooted in the desire to provide its occupants with the environment in which to flourish, like nature, in a sustainable, stress-free yet productive way. Three Chamberlain Square raises the bar for smart, intuitive office developments, making it the natural choice for forward thinking businesses who care for the wellbeing of their employees.

* hbr.org/