UK’s first BREEAM Outstanding building

The first building in the UK to be built under new guidance from BREEAM has achieved an Outstanding rating.

Apex Park DC10, is a 433,000sq ft industrial unit in Daventry, has achieved ‘Outstanding’ through BREEAM ‘New Construction 2018’ guidance. The project was delivered by VolkerFitzpatrick, for Prologis, one of the business’ long-term clients.

BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability rating system for assessing the environmental impact of new non-domestic buildings. The organisation’s ‘New Construction 2018 update’ introduced new technical requirements during the construction specification process, including measuring unregulated and embodied energy; transport; health and wellbeing developments; and ensuring robustness in a changing climate.

VolkerFitzpatrick surpassed the contractual obligation of a ‘Very Good’ rating, to achieve ‘Outstanding’ for the Apex Park DC10 development, which registered an impressive 56 percent reduction in whole-life total carbon emissions (embodied and operational)*.

This was achieved through a range of measures, including the use of alternative cement replacement products and re-using materials, such as crushed concrete and recycled aggregate, from site.

The development also uses a range of climate mitigation measures, such as rainwater harvesting and electric vehicle charging facilities. In addition, a 1.2MW roof-mounted photovoltaic array powers low-energy LED lighting and air-source heat pumps, helping to achieve the building’s carbon-neutral regulated energy and A+ Energy Performance Certificate.

To ensure ‘whole-life’ sustainability, Apex Park DC10 supports a circular economy by being ‘Designed for Disassembly’, a design principle that ensures a building’s components and materials can be either recycled or removed easily for re-use on another building.

Stuart Deverill, divisional managing director for VolkerFitzpatrick, said: “The team has worked with efficiency and diligence, to ensure Apex Park DC10 was completed to the highest possible standard. The BREEAM Outstanding rating is a fantastic accomplishment.”

*Assessment was certified by independent third-party, Planet Mark.

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