Heritage & Sustainability: Northcliffe's BREEAM Outstanding Journey

Designed to serve as a contemporary office space while maintaining its historical significance, The Northcliffe needed to adhere to stringent sustainability goals. The team focused on preserving the original façade and reconfiguring the interior to provide modern amenities. This included relocating the main entrance, creating new atrium spaces, and adding three landscaped roof terraces to promote biodiversity.

Achieving the highest sustainability credentials while retaining and enhancing the building's heritage fabric presented significant challenges. The existing structure's constraints made it difficult to secure certain BREEAM credits, particularly those related to ventilation and daylighting. The project team had to work within the limitations of the retained structure and riser configuration, which prevented major structural alterations. Additionally, the deep office floor plates hindered the attainment of credits for daylighting and views out.

To overcome these constraints, the design team needed to excel in other BREEAM categories. They focused on strong performance in waste management, recycling of materials, and innovative design solutions. The ambitious goal of achieving a BREEAM Outstanding rating drove the team to explore every possible avenue for sustainability, despite the building's structural and spatial limitations. This approach required meticulous planning, innovative design strategies, and a commitment to integrating sustainability into every aspect of the project.

DWS Grundbesitz GmbH chose to use BREEAM so that they could be sure that all aspects of sustainability were considered. It helped them embrace:

• Innovative technologies:
  • Installation of air source heat pumps and a heat recovery chiller using refrigerants R32 and R454B.
  • Real-time air quality monitoring with BMS-linked CO2 sensors on all office floors.
  • Touch-free technology and maximum fresh air and daylight integration.
• Sustainable design features:
  • Preservation of the original Daily Mail facades.
  • Reconfiguration of the atrium to include lounge areas, a library, and a quiet room.
  • Creation of three landscaped roof terraces with biodiverse planting.
• Energy and water efficiency:
  • 40m² of solar panels installed.
  • 64% reduction in CO2 emissions from carbon in operation compared to the Part L baseline scheme.
  • 57% improvement in water consumption over BRE baseline.Use of 100% renewable electric energy.

• High BREEAM score: An overall score of 86.8%, with exceptional performance in categories such as Management, Energy, Water, and Materials.
• Operational efficiency: Enhanced energy and water efficiency systems lead to substantial operational cost savings and reduced environmental impact.
• Enhanced indoor environment: High-quality indoor air, abundant natural light, and biophilic design elements create a workspace that supports occupant health and productivity.
• Historical and market value: The preservation of the building's Grade II listed façade, combined with its modern sustainable features, significantly boosts its market value and appeal.
• Occupier benefits: Improved occupier satisfaction through sustainable and innovative office space and incorporation of sustainable transport facilities.