Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours
Posted : April 18, 2011 by John G, Category: Sustainability
When the Venture Building opened its doors next to our Glasgow HQ last November it wasn’t a case of “oh no, there goes the neighbourhood!” In fact it was the complete opposite as this project is a shining example of sustainable building design and it is great to have such developments on our doorstep. It is also a fantastic boost for Glasgow, which is holding the City of Science 2011 accolade. At the opening of the project last November, Lord Provost said “This building sets a benchmark for sustainable building which we will see increasingly in new developments in the city. Glasgow’s reputation as a leader in energy efficiency and sustainability is growing and will continue as we rebalance our economy towards science and engineering in the future”.
The Venture building, offering office and laboratory accommodation, boasts the following features:
· “Excellent” BREEAM rating
· “A” rated energy performance certificate
· 11kw Gaia wind turbine & heat pumps
· Under floor heating
· Digitally dimmable lighting on movement and daylight controls
All of this raises the question; are companies that are looking to rent office accommodation now putting more emphasis on their need to stay in a “green” building? Are the energy and sustainable factors of the building now becoming as important as rental price and office size for potential tenants? Well according to GE Capital Real Estate, “Green building initiatives are a key influencer when tenants decide to sign a commercial real estate lease”. They conducted a survey in 2010 which included 2,220 tenants at offices in the UK, US, Canada, France, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Japan. An average of 50% of those polled said green building initiatives are a high priority. Japan (59%), Canada (52%) and Sweden (52%) placed the greatest importance on green building practices, compared with only 43% in the U.S., the lowest of the countries surveyed.
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