VolkerFitzpatrick has completed the first building in the UK to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating under the latest BREEAM New Construction 2018 guidance.
Apex Park DC10, a 433,000 sq ft industrial unit in Daventry, was built using alternative cement replacement products and reusing 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. And it features a 1.2MW roof-mounted photovoltaic array that 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, the building, which has been built for client Prologis, 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 reuse on another building.
BREEAM’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 a 56% reduction in whole-life total carbon emissions (embodied and operational), according to an assessment by Planet Mark.
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.”
