Chartered Builders, Greendale Construction Limited, has achieved a BREEAM rating of excellent for its work at Studland House, Bournemouth University.
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment’s Environmental Assessment Method) is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for master-planning projects, infrastructure, and buildings. It recognises and reflects the value in higher performing assets across the built environment lifecycle, from new construction to in-use and refurbishment.
The 25 week works on phase 2, and 28 weeks on phase 3 of Studland House, carried out by Greendale during the £2.1 million contract for Bournemouth University, involved the complete refurbishment of floors one, three and four, plus the local refurbishment of the toilet areas on the ground floor. The new space on the ground floor now provides additional active travel facilities along with new accessible, gender-neutral toilets. The upper floors also benefited from toilet refurbishments on each floor in the core areas, larger open plan office arrangements with separate meeting rooms, and break-out spaces, store-rooms and kitchenettes. The same theme across all the floors were maintained, but layouts were tailored to the individual department needs.
Chris Cave, Commercial Director, Greendale Construction Ltd, commented: “BREEAM completes its assessment through third party certification of an asset’s environmental, social and economic sustainability performance, using standards developed by BRE (Building Research Establishment). This means BREEAM rated developments are likely to be more sustainable environments that enhance the well-being of the people who live and work in them, help protect natural resources and make for more attractive property investments. Greendale was fortunate to have the assistance of assessors, Adam Watkins & Laura Tenor of Sustainable Construction Services, to help advise, and meet all the requirements on this project in order to achieve the BREEAM excellent rating, which included:
- Registering the site with the Considerate Contractors Scheme and scoring 35 points on the review.
- Recording energy & water usage.
- Recording transport for all delivery and collections.
- Provide a building user guide and training schedules.
- Source materials from sustainable sources including materials brought to site to be low VOC content.
- Record all timber delivery including location used and also obtain copies FSC certification from suppliers.
- Obtain secure by design certificate from local police advisor.
- Energy monitoring to be fitted to allow post-construction monitoring of all energy use for the building.
- Reduction in flush volumes and flow restrictors of sanitaryware installed.
- All insulation installed to be Green Guide A+ rated.
- Provide early stage waste reduction.
- Site Waste Management Plan undertaken and tracked through construction period.
Marcin Grabowski, Estates Programme Manager, BU, commented: “Alongside the delivery of a number of landmark new buildings, BU continues its effort to improve and transform BU estate, recognising the importance of refurbishment, remodelling and optimisation of the existing buildings.
“Fully refurbished Studland House will provide consolidated, high quality central hub for BU’s Professional Services at Lansdowne Campus.
“In line with BU’s commitment to environmental sustainability, all our major refurbishments must achieve BREEAM ‘very good’ as a minimum.
“Thanks to the fantastic effort from BU and Greendale Construction Limited, the Studland House project has now surpassed BU internal target and Greendale contractual obligations and achieved BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. It is even more impressive considering that the original target has been exceeded by almost 18%.
“Greendale’s collaborative approach and willingness to go the extra mile was fundamental to this project’s overall success, resulting in fantastic, sustainable facilities and satisfied end-users.”