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Space Solutions Lend Green Fingers for Eco-Friendly Office

Space Solutions, Scotland’s largest independent workplace design specialist, has shown its green credentials by securing the top rating for a bespoke environmentally friendly building – at the first time of asking.

The architectural team from Space Solutions created a research and development centre for specialist global oilfield production chemicals company Champion Technologies in Aberdeen which has been officially recognised as one of the UK’s best examples of sustainable design.

The development was independently assessed and certified before receiving a rating of ‘Excellent’ by BREEAM Bespoke (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) – only the second building in Aberdeen to receive the status.

Architect Ruari Campbell, who led the Space Solutions design team in Aberdeen, said: “We’re delighted that this project has impressed not only Champion Technologies but the BREEAM assessors as well.

“The award is extra special as this was the first building we submitted for a BREEAM assessment and it received the highest rating available.

“From the outset, Champion Technologies took their environmental responsibilities very seriously and wanted the new building to embody renewable technologies wherever possible.

“They had tasked us initially to achieve a ‘Very Good’ rating but then up scaled that to ‘Excellent’, which given the specialist nature of the company’s lab functions which have high heat and energy requirements proved to be a real challenge.

“We worked with the contractor throughout the process to ensure everything was done to keep the environmental impact to a minimum – from reducing energy consumption, to reusing rain water and using sustainably sourced materials.

“It’s a great privilege to have been involved in the project. With companies taking an increasing focus on the renewables sector, we hope to be set further challenges to demonstrate our green credentials.”

The £4.5million building has been orientated on an east/west axis to utilise natural light with accommodation organised around a central open plan “clean” lab atrium with associated office, meeting and welfare facilities linking off this.

The key environmental features include:

• The building form was designed to reduce energy consumption and maximise the use of natural light and ventilation.

• Only the labs that require strict control of temperature are air conditioned, the rest of the building utilises natural ventilation.

• The atrium has tall, north facing and short, shaded, south facing windows to ensure maximum daylight with minimal direct glare.

• All of the building’s heating and cooling comes from a ground source heat pump.

• The majority of the building is heated by a LTHW heating system, running underfloor heating in the atrium and radiators throughout the office areas.

• All of the rainwater is collected to supply the building’s grey water requirements.

• Hot water for the building is heated by solar panels.

• The remaining, unused, site is to be planted as a wildflower meadow and the planting around the building was specifically selected to create an amenable habitat for local wildlife.

The building – located at the firm’s Aberdeen-based Eastern Hemisphere Headquarters and which has been named the Bundrant Technical Centre – will be Champion’s global centre of excellence for Scale Technology and has extended laboratories for Corrosion, Hydrates and Analytical work.

BREEAM is the leading environmental assessment method for buildings that sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design. Its assessment of sites provides market recognition for low environmental impact buildings and a benchmark that is higher than regulation.

Harry Montgomerie, Managing Director and Eastern Hemisphere Division Business Unit Manager of Champion Technologies’, said: “The completed project exceeded our expectations and Space Solutions really impressed us from the first stage to the last – so this award is really the icing on the cake.

“Our environmental responsibilities are high priority prompting Champion Technologies to specify BREEAM standards as a deliverable at contract stage. This award recognises the hard work and dedication of all involved.

“We’re honoured that our lab has been given this high accolade and we hope this award will be a leader in future projects not just for ourselves and Space Solutions but for companies across the UK.”

Space Solutions is Scotland’s biggest independent expert in helping businesses manage changes within the workplace. It operates UK-wide - from bases in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Livingston - to design, build, fit out, refurbish and relocate modern and productive business environments.

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