One Trinity Green is one of a number of major developments in the South Shields Riverside regeneration area, with other plans including proposed housing at Trinity South and a multi-million-pound business centre and park at Harton Quays.

Andrew Watts, director of Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle, said: “Groundwork has been at the forefront of sustainable technologies and modern construction techniques since the opening of The Eco Centre in the early 1990s.

“We continue to work with partners to develop innovative schemes including the first carbon negative homes in South Shields and the award-winning sustainable business centre, The Beacon, in Newcastle.

“One Trinity Green incorporates the latest technologies, including solar panels, super insulation, natural ventilation to control heating and cooling and a roof terrace to increase biodiversity.

“It is among a handful of buildings in the country to achieve the highest standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation.”

Robertson – the infrastructure, support services and construction group based in Hebburn – carried out the works which benefited from £2.5m invested by the European Regional Development Fund.

The scheme won the top prize for greenest office development at the international Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method awards 2012.

Andy McLeod, regional managing director for Robertson, said: “It’s an honour to have been involved in delivering one of the world’s greenest buildings, allowing Robertson a further opportunity to demonstrate our ability to deliver the highest possible standards of both service and quality.”