Bruntwood tables plans for UK’s ‘lowest carbon new-build workspace’
The £31m Ev0 will be built at Didsbury Technology Park and feature a timber frame among its carbon-saving technologies.
Bruntwood has submitted an application to build the 82,000 sq ft building, billed as the lowest carbon new-build workspace in the country. The scheme will be designed and delivered by Bruntwood Works.
“We are proud to provide more meaningful contribution to Manchester’s ambition of becoming a carbon-neutral city by 2038,” said Ciara Keeling, chief executive of Bruntwood Works.
“Since becoming the UK’s first commercial property company to sign the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment in 2018, we have strived to lead the way in the market, placing sustainability at the heart of everything we do.”
The developer held a public consultation on its Ev0 proposals earlier this year, citing its ambition to create the greenest office possible.
Bruntwood hopes to achieve net-zero carbon in both construction and operation as well as obtaining a host of sustainability certifications.
These include meeting the LETI 2020 design target for upfront carbon, the RIBA 2025 performance targets on whole-life carbon, and the UKGBC Paris Proof target on operational usage.
In addition, Bruntwood’s 100% electric building is shooting for a NABERS 5.5-star accreditation and BREEM ‘excellent’ status.
94% of Ev0’s total energy demand will be generated on site, with the remainder sourced from Bruntwood’s cooperatively owned wind farm in Ayrshire, the developer said.
You can learn more about Ev0’s carbon-saving credentials, including how the façade and timber frame contribute to reducing the building’s energy consumption, by visiting the Ev0 website.
Subject to planning approval, construction is scheduled to begin in summer 2023 and complete in autumn 2024.
Keeling added: “Ev0 is the culmination of all our work to date, taking everything we have learned to create the UK’s lowest carbon new build. And as part of this, we will continue to be fully transparent about presenting data and assessments to ensure that we stay true to our commitments and to allow Ev0 to become a blueprint for net zero construction in the industry.”
The project team for Ev0 includes architect Sheppard Robson, landscape architect Layer Studio, and planning consultant Deloitte Real Estate. Ramboll is the MEP, structural, and sustainability consultant.
JLL and CBRE have been appointed as letting agents for the building.
Bruntwood’s AislingMcNulty and Sophie West talked to Place in September 2021 about developing Ev0. Listen to the podcast.
Not as low carbon as not building offices hey? Will the vehicles used during construction be zero carbon? People should be encouraged to work from home, or at the very least not asked to travel miles to city centres every day.
By Cal
@Cal Using your logic, we should also save carbon by not building homes. Am I right?
By SW
Annnnd I think we can all see where this comment thread is going to go. Cal got his comment about new-builds not being very low carbon and SW has made the good point that not constructing new buildings isn’t an option. Let’s nip the back-and-forth in the bud and move the conversation on.
By Julia Hatmaker
I agree Julia.
By SW
It’s just a big garden shed
By Monty Don
A big garden shed because it utilises wood in its construction? What a strange comment. I guess even on a site like PNW you still get the odd one.
By Sam
Structural timber is very cool. I don’t know why we don’t see it more often in larger buildings. Glue-laminated beams have been around for a while and look great!
By Superhans
@superhans – it hasn’t been a good year for gluelam, Google Norway Bridge collapse; the second such incident in recent years according to the article I read.
By Anonymous