Sustainability has been at the heart of the project from the outset
Project Details
- Scheme & Version: Industrial 2008
- Stage: Final
- Location: Doncaster, UK
- Size: 3,200m2
- Score & Rating: 94.5% Outstanding
- Certificate Number: BREEAM-0062-4619
Project Team
- Client: Cementation Skanska
- Contractor: Skanska Construction
- Architect: IBI TaylorYoung
- Building Services: Waldeck Consulting
- BREEAM: RSK Group plc
- BREEAM AP: Rob Baker, RSK Group plc
- Ecologist: RSK Group plc
About the Building
Bentley Works is Skanska UK’s engineering and manufacturing facility situated 3km north of Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
The 7.5 hectare site has been used by Skanska for over a century and was in need of redevelopment and modernisation. Skanska redeveloped Bentley Works into a state-of-the-art facility to provide high quality engineering, manufacturing and pre-fabrication services for various Skanska operating units working throughout the construction industry. The facility will serve as Skanska’s northern England hub and will support the company’s strategic ambitions to grow. The redevelopment of Bentley Works is the first Skanska development project to achieve, zero carbon, BREEAM Outstanding, and meet Skanska’s stretching criteria for Deep Green in the UK. The project involved:
- A new workshop space
- New prefabricated offices
- Refurbishment and environmental improvement of existing buildings
- Demolition of old buildings
Sustainability has been at the heart of the project from its outset with the end user Cementation Skanska wanting a facility that would clearly demonstrate their green ambitions, set a benchmark for environmental design, in keeping with Skanska’s green ambitions and most importantly provide something to be proud of.
“The redevelopment of Bentley Works is the first Skanska development project to achieve zero carbon, BREEAM Outstanding and meet Skanska’s stretching criteria for Deep Green in the UK. The project is a shining example of the environmental benefits that can be realised when sustainability is put at the heart of a project. A challenging brief was set for the construction team requiring zero carbon operation, BREEAM Outstanding on both the new workshop and the office and delivery of Skanska’s criteria for Deep Green.“
Environmental Features
A detailed Life cycle cost plan was developed to shape the business case for the green features of the project, with calculated return on investment ROI. Careful consideration was given to the operating costs. A great example of how the project team integrated whole life thinking into the project was the integration of a waste oil burning heater which runs on waste bio oil arising from plant maintenance which meant Skanska Cementation could ‘close the loop’ on a difficult and expensive waste stream. The project also featured:
- PV generating 43,500kwh per year, reducing CO2 emissions, offsetting electricity costs and generating revenue through the Feed in Tariff (FiT).
- Intelligent control on occupied spaces which switches lights and ventilation off in unused spaces.
- Water is switched off in toilets when not in use using PIR controlled solenoid valves.
- Lights dim according to daylight levels in occupied spaces.
- New workshop has very high performing roof and wall system – in what way?. Maximising internal daylight – how?
- Biomass boiler reduces CO2 emissions by 30%.
- Innovative evaporative cooling system used in workshop – no mechanical cooling required.
- All timber from certified sustainable sources
- Rainwater harvesting installed and used for toilet flushing, jet washing of plant and equipment and evaporative cooling. Providing 50% of the site’s needs.
- 24 bike spaces with changing and showering facilities.
- Site will located for travel links
- Electric car charging points installed.
- Landscaping to improve ecology of area. Overall ecological improvement for site. Grassy swale to manage surface runoff (grass helps filter any silt from runoff)
The building scored well in the energy, Materials and Health and Well-being sections as well as achieving 6 exemplary credits. The result is a building with very low running costs and additional PV has been installed to reduce the unregulated energy consumption.