🟩 GreenBricks Building of the Week 🟩 The Catalyst

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

Newcastle, UK

🏢Building Details

• 100,000 sq ft., 6-storeys

• Completed October 2019

• Constructing Excellence National Awards 2020 – Sustainability Winner

👷🏾‍♀️Developer & Contractor

• Newcastle University

• UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing

• National Innovation Centre for Data

• Bowmer and Kirkland Ltd

✍️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

• Marc Horn – Managing Director @ s h e d

🌱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