Willmott Dixon Interiors delivered Birmingham’s largest office refurbishment, a £40m back-to-the-frame retrofit transformation of 10 Brindleyplace.
The vision of the project, which was developed by CBRE Investment Management, revealed a new, modern commercial office space with a focus on smart technology, sustainability and wellness, which would make it a desirable location for future occupants.
In line with Willmott Dixon’s 2030 ‘Now or Never’ sustainability strategy, the project has a strong emphasis on sustainable design and occupier wellness. The building meets Net Zero targets in operation with an EPC A rating (which exceeds Government requirements for 2030) and is on target to achieve a BREEAM rating of Excellent, WiredScore Platinum and is Birmingham’s first building to achieve Fitwel 2 stars accreditation, a standard that measures occupant health and wellbeing.
The project design achieved BREEAM points for its indoor air quality plan, low carbon design, energy efficient lighting, safe walking paths to public transport hubs, the provision of cycling facilities, and efficient water consumption.
Other key achievements of the project include:
- Optimised passive design and an all electric plant have achieved a 60% annual reduction in energy savings compared to a typical office of equal size.
- The existing building foundation, basement, and structural frame have been retained, which has enabled significant savings of almost 60% on embodied carbon when compared to creating a new development, according to a projected 60-year building life cycle assessment, led by the Venture team.
- 53% operational carbon reduction, compared to pre-refurbishment and savings of 658 tonnes of CO2 per year.
- Performance is aligned with UK’s net zero trajectory, exceeding 2025 interim performance targets.
- During the project, 100% of construction waste was diverted from landfill, either to be reused on other projects or recycled.
Sustainable design
The design of the redeveloped 10 Brindleyplace has drawn on thermal insulation, air tightness, glazing ratios, and glass specifications to reduce heating and cooling demands, thereby saving energy, operational costs, and carbon.
Our project team added a completely new energy efficient external façade system clad in a brick slip. More than 245,000 bricks have been installed on the project – covering an approximate area of almost 40,000 sq ft – which has delivered ten times the thickness of insulation, without any loss of net internal area which is a major contributor to the elevated EPC A rating.
The need for gas and fossil-fuels has been removed, instead utilising all-electric heating, cooling and hot water systems. The system will be powered by renewable green energy, delivered in part by on-site solar PV, helping to reduce operational costs.
Biodiversity
Following the implementation of an ecologist’s recommendations, the ecological value of the site has been safeguarded, with effects on biodiversity minimised through a five-year landscape and habitat management plan.
A green wall and green roof have been implemented along with beehives and biodiverse planting in line with expert recommendations. These all play a significant role in enriching our urban landscapes, making the space environmentally friendly and improving health and wellbeing of the building occupants. In addition, rainwater harvesting provides water for irrigating the building’s green features and flushing its toilets.
Smart Technology
Every element of the plant works within the building is connected through a common smart platform, deployed by Smart Spaces, from the heating and ventilation to the lighting and access control. This 3D digital model forms a digital twin of the building, enabling real time control and monitoring, which enhances performance and reduces energy wastage, which makes 10 Brindleyplace one of the most technologically advanced office buildings in the country. The building has achieved WiredScore Platinum certification, supporting data connectivity and off-site server options, also reducing onsite power demand.
The strong focus on sustainability and occupier wellbeing has also led to the delivery of enhanced amenities within the refurbished building, including a fitness studio and bouldering wall; cycle storage for 100 bicycles; electric vehicle charging; and two communal landscaped roof terraces.
It all means that 10 Brindleyplace will truly set a new benchmark for the reinvention of existing office space in Birmingham.
Find out more about the project here.