Pacegrade delivers timber façade for UK’s first 5.5 star rated NABERS UK building
Midlands-based architectural contractor Pacegrade has delivered the new timber façade on a landmark office building in Pimlico, London.
The existing 1950s concrete structure at 11 Belgrave Road, London Victoria was transformed into a 150,000 sq ft net zero carbon workplace, taking its place as one of the capital’s most sustainable office buildings.
Developed by global real estate development, investment management and advisory group, Quadrum Global, the award-winning, £50 million construction value scheme is the first in the UK to achieve a NABERS UK Design for Performance 5.5-star rating for building efficiency.
The project, designed by Eric Parry Architects, provides 108,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation along with 14,000 sq. ft of communal spaces and best-in-class facilities, including a 3,300 sq. ft café and 4,600 sq ft gym.
It prioritises occupier experience and wellbeing throughout and was one of only six buildings to pre-certify for WELL Platinum. 11 Belgrave also meets the highest sustainability and wellbeing credentials.
In regenerating the site, it retained 35% of the existing fabric to reduce embodied carbon. It achieved a BREEAM Outstanding Rating, putting it in the top 1% of BREEAM assessed buildings, and is net zero carbon in construction and operation, surpassing the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge target by 38%. It also embraces the role of technology in sustainable operation and resilience, pre-certifying for WiredScore Platinum, targeting SmartScore Platinum and installing Vorboss’ 10-100 GBPS full coverage fibre network. It is one of only a handful of buildings in London to offer such a high level of connectivity and the first in Victoria.
Pacegrade delivered a high-performing façade complete with CWCT testing; a critical aspect of assessing the integrity of building envelopes — a project with a value circa £11.7M.
Nick Horton, managing director at Pacegrade, said: “It was a pleasure to work with the team at BAM, delivering a building that all involved are extremely proud of. And it was thanks to cross supply chain collaboration that we could deliver against challenging conditions and a tight programme.”
Ilyas Aslam, chief operating officer at Quadrum, said: “At our flagship London project at 11 Belgrave Road, we took the opportunity to deliver a ground-breaking, exceptional workplace. Responding to the needs of the modern occupier, it meets the highest ESG and wellbeing standards and creates an exceptional occupier experience, with quality combining with flexibility to deliver an inspiring environment that also offers some of the best views across London.”
11 Belgrave has already gained major awards recognition as an exemplary net zero workplace. It won the Climate Action Award in the Constructing Excellence South East awards, progressing to the national final as well as being a finalist for Building of the Year and ESG categories. Across the real estate sector, it has also been shortlisted for a further 14 Awards.
