CLIENT INDUSTRY
Commercial Property Investors
SERVICES PROVIDED
Project Management
Employers Agent
Engineering Design Consultancy
Carbon Consultancy
LOCATION
Weybridge
DIVISION INVOLVED
Building & Project Consultancy
Savills EDC
Savills Earth
DATE
September 2023
CHALLENGE
The landlord wanted to future proof this single-let business park office asset, originally built in the 1990s.
SOLUTION
We collaborated with teams across the business, from engineering design to carbon consultants, to project manage the process of assessing multiple options for the building, ranging from an internal only retrofit, a back to frame retrofit, vertical extension and a new build redevelopment of the site. We carried out extensive project feasibility, Net Zero Carbon Advisory (NZCA) & NABERS operational energy use verification, and project managed the back-to-frame retrofit with vertical extension. The NIA was increased from 14,500 sq ft to 23,000 sq ft with the addition of a new terrace and improved end-of-trip facilities. This solution was shown to reduce the embodied carbon by 31% over a new build alternative with the retention of the foundations and frame. The single stage design and build procurement route was made possible through Savills local market knowledge and has ensured the most balanced approach to cost, quality, time and risk.
RESULTS
We successfully project managed pre and post contract phases of the scheme, which completed in October 2023. The building now has extensive on-site renewable energy generation and uses a mixed mode ventilation and cooling strategy, meaning that openable windows allow the air conditioning to be turned off when external conditions allow. BREEAM Excellent is targeted and the scheme has achieved a NABERS rating of 5.5 stars. Embodied carbon was reduced resulting in a 31% saving compared to a new build and EPC rating was improved hugely from an E to A. This has both future-proofed the building and enabled the client to target a level of office HQ rents comparable to a new build.