Huge green
One of the largest buildings ever to achieve such green credentials, this building is not about the environmental ‘add-ons’ or eco-bling wind turbines: sustainability is truly integrated into the structure.
📍Location
Manchester, UK
🏢Building Details
16-storey, 3-sided triangular structure; 325,000 sq ft
Completed February 2013; The Co-operative Group’s new HQ
320-person ground floor auditorium
Nicknamed the ‘sliced egg’ due to distinctive shape
👷🏾♀️Contractor
Ian Fleming, Director @ BAM Construction Ltd
✍️Architects & Engineers
Nab Speakes, Director @ 3DReid Ltd
🌱Sustainability
BREEAM Outstanding (95.3% = world-record at the time)
Fully glazed double skin façade with louvred panels – insulates in winter and facilitates ventilation in summer
Cogeneration heat and power plant uses biofuel and rapeseed oil, sourced from local Co-op farms = energy-plus building
Heat recovery from IT systems helps to heat building
Greywater and rainwater recycling systems for toilet flushing and irrigation
🥦 Wellbeing
Integration into public transport links, easily accessible by cycle routes; 105 on-site bike stands
Soaring open atrium flooded with natural light; reflected by white painted concrete reduces need for artificial lighting from 500 to 330 lux
Roof top and extended public area planting
Construction involved a high level of community engagement: 900+ people benefitted from on-site training, engagement with 1,000+ students, and 54% of workforce from Greater Manchester area
🎈Bonus feature
It’s future proofed against temperatures forecasted for 2050, meaning it can cope with a potential 3-5 degree increase and 30% more rainfall. The building becomes more efficient as global temperatures rise. Now that’s what you call forward-planning.
🔗Check it out https://www.burohappold.com/projects/one-angel-square/
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