BBC Cymru Wales Headquarters, Central Square, Cardiff

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

CARDIFF – LEADING THE WAY

SUSTAINABILTY RISING UP THE AGENDA

Climate change is impacting everyone, everywhere. By 2050, rainfall is expected to increase in winter by 14%, and decrease in summer by 16%, and sea levels in Wales are predicted to rise by approximately 22cm by 2050 (Source: Welsh Government). Rising sea levels and increasing frequency of extreme weather events pose risks to coastal properties and cities. With predictions Wales will face more rain, warmer temperatures and fiercer storms in future, the climate crisis is at our door.

MEASURING SUSTAINABILITY AND ESG BENCHMARKING

Creating and applying environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria is about driving accountability, profitability alone is no longer sufficient to meet the demands of investors, shareholders and employees. Regulated investors are under pressure to increase their proportion of sustainable assets and more than 35 stock exchanges around the world have issued (or are planning to issue) ESG reporting guidelines. The UK is one of the leading global markets for ESG-related investments, with £6,439bn assets under management.

HOW DOES CARDIFFS OFFERING STACK UP?

Cardiff real estate is well positioned to take advantage of this trend. Cardiff developments have been awarded 130 BREEAM certificates, issued since 2008. More than half of these (68) were rated outstanding or excellent.

Across all sectors, there are currently 25 schemes in progress across Cardiff that have been designated to achieve BREEAM ratings, 15 of which are designed to achieve Outstanding or Excellent ratings. The largest of these is an extension to Cardiff university post graduate research campus, due to complete in 2021.

With Cardiff Council aiming for net carbon zero by 2030, then any purchaser of a new scheme will want it future-proofed to protect their exit values. This policy is promoting sustainable development in Cardiff and providing buildings that align with investor strategies.

CASE STUDY

BBC CYMRU WALES HEADQUARTERS, CENTRAL SQUARE, CARDIFF

ID:SP fit-out of the BBC Cymru Wales Headquarters, Central Square. Source: Foster & Partners, Rightacres

Designed by award winning international architects Foster + Partners, the building forms part of the dynamic Central Square redevelopment, adjacent to Cardiff Central train station. The building occupies the site of the former bus station. The BBC workplace team partnered with Sheppard Robson’s interior design firm; ID:SR on the workplace strategy to shape the office and broadcast facilities within the Foster + Partners-designed base-build. The development aimed to be one of the BBC’s most efficient and cost-effective workplaces. The project created opportunities for the local community, utilising local suppliers and craftspeople throughout.

BBC Wales Central Square has been awarded BREEAM Outstanding Interim Certificate – Design Stage with a score of 87.2% and is on track to achieve BREEAM Outstanding rating. It was recently recognised as one of the best workplaces in the South of England and South Wales at the annual British Council for Offices’ (BCO) regional awards; awarded the Best Fit Out of Workplace in the South West.

Key Sustainability Features

  • High performance building envelope – to meet BREEAM regulations, 40% above Building Regulations
  • 400 sq. m. of energy-generating photovoltaic cells on the roof
  • Rainwater harvesting system
  • Low-flow sanitary ware
  • Energy efficient air conditioning and ventilation via chilled beams (as opposed to traditional fan coil units)
  • High performance acoustics
  • Roof-top ecological garden to enhance biodiversity and provide outdoor space
  • Provision of electric car parking
  • Provision of cycle storage; 200 bike spaces
  • 95% of all waste generated by the fit-out exercise was recycled