Geordie green
Historic site of the old Scottish & Newcastle brewery – now home to the UK’s Innovation Centre for Ageing. The Catalyst is a central building in Newcastle’s new innovation district, regenerating 24 acres of former industrial land.
📍Location
🏢Building Details
100,000 sq ft., 6-storeys
Completed October 2019
Constructing Excellence National Awards 2020 – Sustainability Winner
👷🏾♀️Developer & Contractor
✍️Architects & Engineers
Simon Rennison-Rae – Partner @ GSSArchitecture
Tom Jagger – Partner @ GSSArchitecture
Scott Stewart – Director @ Design_North
Jacqui Martin – Former Founder & Director @ Design_North
Jim Gibson – Partner @ Gillespies
🌱Sustainability
1st BREEAM Outstanding office (87.2%) in the North East: achieved at no extra cost to client or stakeholders
Holistic approach to fabric, services and management = 89.9% improvement in thermal losses + 48% improvement in air permeability rates
Incorporates SuDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems): cascading rain gardens, green roof + pipe storage attenuation – restricts offsite flow to a minimal 5l/s, has capacity for 1-in-100-year storm events, and 40% allowance for climate change
Photovoltaic panels generate up to 27,000kWh per year
🥦 Wellbeing
Interior design based around ease of navigation for visitors with visual impairments or disabilities – including dementia-friendly areas tested by stakeholders
Fabrics and finishes selected to create a warm and cosy feel, akin to a non-corporate, hospitality environment
The building acts as a ‘beacon’ for both Ageing and Data related innovation with world-class facilities under one roof: tenants benefit from working alongside like-minded organisations
Interactive double height public exhibition space + 75 capacity TED style theatre + impressive 22 seat boardroom with panoramic city views
🎈Bonus feature
The project team delivered the building 6 weeks ahead of schedule and £7m under budget – without compromising health and safety, quality or sustainability. The dream.
🔗 Check it out https://find-an-architect.architecture.com/gssarchitecture/newcastle-upon-tyne/the-catalyst
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