Why we need to embrace new methods to achieve net zero

The pace with which the net zero agenda has taken off over the last few years has required developers and landlords to respond quickly. While it’s quite remarkable how fast a majority of the industry has adopted the cause – and it’s encouraging that most are setting targets for reducing emissions – net zero as a collective aim still seems a distant reality.

There is a growing willingness, but many are struggling to adapt and come to terms with the new methodologies and techniques with which modern, sustainable offices are being built. New hybrid methods of working are increasingly becoming the norm, which has resulted in a shake-up of the office market and a flight to quality, with occupiers prioritising sustainable, friendly and wellbeing-focused buildings. Those struggling to adapt risk being left behind.

Unexpected opportunities

The pace of progress is daunting. Before Candour was acquired by Trammell Crow Company, we took charge of the site for our 207,000 sq ft flexible office space – Welcome Building (pictured) – in Bristol. It was during the pandemic and inevitably, the development works were delayed due to the emerging Covid-19 response. However, this resulted in an unexpected opportunity to refine and adapt the design to address the increasing importance of net zero in workspace buildings. We used this time to figure out how to reduce the building’s energy demands by adopting new innovations, and we are now on track to deliver a building that is set to be net zero carbon in operation.

Admittedly, there is still the issue of embodied carbon from the construction phase, but in terms of carbon modelling, the metrics are clear and compared to an ordinary equivalent building, Welcome Building will be saving a massive 12,000 tonnes of carbon in construction, or the equivalent of 7,500 return flights from Bristol to New York.

Moral and financial imperative

More than ever, developers and investors need to consider the lifecycle of buildings from the early feasibility stages. Whether they are new or existing buildings, prioritising net zero and wellbeing is essential, or they will quickly become obsolete. The gulf between top tier and secondary space has widened considerably, reflected in occupier demand as well as selection criteria for new premises. This provides not just a moral but also a financial imperative to invest in new solutions and methods to ensure high performing buildings that set new standards.

Innovation is key to making the greatest impact. Welcome Building is connected to the Bristol Heat Network, which has enabled it to extract the total heat load from this expanding, local low carbon infrastructure. The Bristol Heat Network is operated by Swedish utility operator, Vattenfall, which is rapidly growing its presence in the UK and has made significant commitments to Bristol including the full decarbonisation of the heat network by 2030.

New innovations

With new innovations such as the use of Bristol’s Floating Harbour water as a source for the heat pumps serving the network, we share a lot of common ground with Vattenfall. This naturally sourced and low carbon heat from the Castle Park energy centre at a lower capital and operational cost will provide greater energy security for our customers and ensure that electricity and heat used within the building will be renewably sourced, a huge differentiator.

The building will be an all-electric workspace, including PV cells on the roof and net zero carbon in operation, and it will set new standards for occupier wellbeing as it will be the first Bristol office building to target Well Platinum Certification, alongside BREEAM Outstanding and Five at Heart Platinum, with consideration given to everything from biodiversity to the enhanced end of trip facilities for cyclists and runners.

With our customers placing a growing focus on facilities that embrace wellness through building design and by providing a user experience for occupiers more in line with a high-end hotel amenities, such as catering to occupiers commuting by bike or foot, buildings are having to increasingly plan ahead and future-proof their facilities. Those developers who can best embrace new innovations and solutions towards wellbeing and sustainability will be best placed to meet shifting customer expectations.