New analysis suggests the shortage of high-quality space is driving a rush to eco-friendly offices.
New analysis by DERWENT LONDON KSW LIMITED, one of the UK’s biggest developers and owners of offices, suggests a major uptick in demand for green office spaces as businesses look to improve their sustainability credentials.
According to the developer businesses are growing so concerned about the shortage of top-quality office space that they are approaching landlords up to six years before the expiry of existing leases.
Rents were rising even more quickly than had been thought previously. The business had expected to raise its rents by between 2 per cent and 5 per cent this year, but instead it said that its rental growth would be between 3 per cent and 6 per cent in 2024. It is the second time that it has increased its forecast.
“The link between a building’s carbon footprint and its value has become more clearly delineated than ever before says Paul Stevens, Managing Director, Acorn Aluminium.
“New builds are pushing boundaries of building performance to ever increasing levels of energy efficiency, lower running costs and lowered environmental impact.
“That’s driving a shift away from older properties, which makes energy efficiency upgrades of pre-existing space vital if landlords are to attract far more eco-sensitive commercial tenants.”
Data from Savills , the property agent, suggested that companies around the world are paying, on average, 31 per cent more in rent to secure the newest, most sustainable buildings.
“Climate change is and should be, a defining influence on construction and as a sector, we have a unique opportunity to contribute positively to the UK’s journey to Net Zero by creating buildings which carry a reduced carbon footprint in construction but also through life.
“We have extensive experience in supporting the delivery of highly sustainable new build office space and refurbishment of pre-existing buildings to deliver next generation performance.”
Case study: Next generation performance in low carbon new build
This includes a 10,000m2 four storey office building, constructed as the flagship office for The Access Group, one of the country’s fastest growing technology companies at Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP).
Acorn Aluminium was appointed by Wates Group in March 2019 on a design, manufacture and install agreement, to supply more than 3,000m2 curtain walling to the project, plus feature panel cladding and doors.
Working with our supply partner, TECHNAL UK, we were able to develop a highly innovative solution which supported the main contractor in minimizing the carbon footprint of the project by using the Technal MX Curtain Walling System.
Using an advanced thermal breaking system and pairing it with a high performance glass option, we were able to achieve u-values of 1.4W/m2K, adjusting glass specifications to either maximise or minimise solar gain depending on the aspect of the elevation, increasing the energy efficiency of the building through-life.
We also, however, were able to go a step further by using the Hydro/Technal Circal 75R solution, which is made with a minimum of 75% recycled end-of-life aluminium/post-consumer scrap. This cuts energy consumption in manufacture to just 5% of that used in the production of primary metals.
Product overview the Technal MX curtain walling system
The Technal MX curtain walling system successfully combines the creative and visual demands of architects with the functional needs of contractors and developers to ensure optimum quality and cost efficiency.
It also uses 52mm transoms and mullions creating consistent sight lines across a project, whether full height, structurally glazed or beaded or sloped glazing.
An advanced performance integrated thermal break maximises thermal efficiency, while the Technal GEODE MX curtain can also be used with a wide range of infill and glazing options, further maximising design flexibility.
- Common structure with 52mm profile sightlines
- Polyamide thermal breaks minimise heat transfer achieving U-values as low as 1.1W/m2K
- Accommodates glass units 6mm to 32mm for flat or faceted curtain walls
- Enhanced 42mm glazing option available
- Infills held in place with continuous pressure plate with fitted vulcanised gasket
- Concealed opening vents maintain consistent sightlines
- Optimised distribution of loading to support maximum weights of up to 400kg
- Tested to CWCT standards
- Green Guide A Rated
Hydro Circal – reduced carbon aluminium systems
Hydro Circal has one of the smallest CO2 footprints worldwide: 2.3kg of CO2 per kilo of aluminium. This is seven times or 84% less than the world-wide average for primary extraction (IAI 2018 report based on 2015 data).
The production process is fully traceable, and the product is certified by an independent third party (DNV-GL).
Hydro Circal has also been accredited by the ift Rosenheim, the EPD of the Institute Bauen und Umwelt e.V.
Summary
· End Client: Access Group/LUSEP
· Project detail: 10,000m2 four storey office building, constructed as the new global headquarters
· Main contractor: Wates Construction. Wider commercial partners: architects Stephen George Partners. Glass, Saint Gobain. Technical partners, Wintech. System partner Technal by Hydro.
· 365m2 curtain walling in Technal MX Curtain Walling System, plus feature panel cladding and doors, louvre and Brise Soleil
· Curtain walling supplied in Hydro Circal recycled aluminium formulation, with a footprint of 2.3kg of CO2 per kilo of aluminium – seven times or 84% less than the world-wide average for primary extraction
· Energy efficiency: 1.4W/m2K u-value
· Start March 2019. Completed spring 2021.
· Project value to Acorn Aluminium Plot £1.2mur facility in the autumn.
For more about Acorn Aluminium please call 0115 928 2166, email [email protected] or visit www.acornalumnium.com