Formal plans have been submitted to build what could be the UK’s lowest carbon office building in Greater Manchester.
Bruntwood Works is behind the £31m plans for The EV0 Building on land at Didsbury Technology Park. The proposals were first revealed in May and would include space for around 955 employees.
At the time, it was expected that construction could start in January 2023 if Manchester City Council approved the scheme and be completed in April 2024.
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However, that estimation has now been put back to the summer, with the completion date pencilled in for autumn 2024.
If backed, the building will include 82,000 sq ft of office space across six floors and sit between the Sir William Siemens House, Spire Hospital and Bruntwood Works’ Ohm Building.
Bruntwood Works said the façade has been designed to minimise solar gain and overheating on the south and westerly elevations and to maximise solar gain on the north and east elevations.
Energy would be generated on-site at a number of locations, including two building façades, the roof and the car park, all acting as a series of mini power plants.
A smart building management system would also ensure the space is managed effectively which will reduce running costs for customers.
Bruntwood Works added that as the UK’s lowest carbon new build workspace, the project would:
- Achieve net zero in both construction and operation
- Meet the LETI 2020 design target for upfront carbon, the RIBA 2025 performance targets on whole life carbon, and the UKGBC Paris Proof target on operational usage
- Follow the UK Green Building Council’s net zero carbon framework
- Target NABERS 5.5 stars and BREEAM Excellent ratings
- Be 100% electric and generate 94% of total energy demand on-site, with the remainder sourced from Bruntwood’s cooperatively owned wind farm in Ayrshire
Ciara Keeling, CEO of Bruntwood Works, said: "In submitting our plans for Ev0, we are proud to provide yet more meaningful contribution to Manchester’s ambition of becoming a carbon neutral city by 2038.
"Since becoming the UK’s first commercial property company to sign the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment in 2018, we have strived to lead the way in the market, placing sustainability at the heart of everything we do.
"Ev0 is the culmination of all our work to date, taking everything we have learned to create the UK’s lowest carbon new build.
"And as part of this, we will continue to be fully transparent about presenting data and assessments to ensure that we stay true to our commitments and to allow Ev0 to become a blueprint for net zero construction in the industry."
The project is supported by architect Sheppard Robson, MEP, structural and sustainability consultants Ramboll, landscape architects Layer Studio and planning consultants Deloitte Real Estate. JLL and CBRE will act as agents for the building.
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