New offices with first rate green credentials

Mar 26 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

THE international Cobalt Business Park is going green with the two latest buildings being developed on-site set to score highly in the environmental stakes and save occupiers 10% a year in energy costs.

Cobalt 22 and 23 are set to achieve a “very good” BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) rating, the classification that assesses all aspects of a building’s environmental impact highlighting the commitment to a green and sustainable model.

The facilities will further increase the high quality office space at Cobalt, whose occupiers include Procter & Gamble, Fujitsu, EDS and GE, being developed by Highbridge Business Park Ltd.

More than 1.2m sqft so far have been completed and let to occupiers that also include Orange, DWP and the NHS. 8,500 people are currently employed at Cobalt, which is set to rise to 20,000 on completion of the scheme.

The 75,700sqft (7,032sqm) and 123,950 sqft (12, 030sqm) buildings have been designed by Ryder Architecture. The four and five storey facilities are both being built speculatively.

The green buildings bring together a range of techniques and practices that are designed to mitigate the carbon footprint of the buildings on the environment.

By adopting features such as solar power and rainwater recycling, sustainable buildings at Cobalt are kinder to the environment, also benefiting from having reduced operating costs as they use less energy and water. Rainwater will be retained in storage tanks underground and then redistributed back into the building to be used in toilet cisterns – dramatically reducing the annual water consumption of the buildings.

The cooling load on the buildings will also by reduced by a solar shielding system, called brise soleil, that protects the large areas of glazing on the south, east and west facades, reducing CO2 emissions. It also means that the windows do not need to be tinted, so daylight quality in the offices is improved and the need for artificial light is reduced.

Guy Marsden, director, Highbridge Business Park Ltd, said: “As a truly international office park we aim to set standards that exceed expectations of world class companies. Development of a green and sustainable environment incorporating the latest in green building techniques is part of that commitment. We are committed to developing a green and sustainable business park and are delighted with this latest development that combines high quality office accommodation with the latest in green building techniques.

“These facilities will exceed the expected requirements of new building regulations which will demand a further 28% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2010.”

A green buildings expert, of integrated building service engineering consultants Operon, said: “A key part of the design brief for Cobalt 22 and 23 was for it to not only meet, but exceed, national regulations regarding green buildings.

“The buildings at Cobalt are in front of other developments. They are among the most environmentally friendly buildings in the North, and they deliver a significant cost saving.”

These facilities will exceed the expected requirements of new building regulations