AGORA Hub, Hungary

Hungary’s first BREEAM Outstanding certified development

Project Details

Building Type: Office
Scheme: 2016 New Construction: Commercial
Rating: Outstanding
Score: 85.7%
Stage: Final

Project Team

  • Developer: Agora
  • Client: HB Reavis
  • Assessor: Obuda Group

About the Building

In one of the most rapidly developing parts of Budapest, at the crossing of Váci út and Róbert Károly körút, the AGORA Hub office building has been built as part of the AGORA Budapest project. This major development has aimed to become a new urban sub-centre, providing a multifunctional hub with unique architectural solutions and focusing on the productivity and health of the people working there.

 

Green Strategy and Environmental Challenges

Application of the BREEAM guidelines to develop a sustainable office building started in the very early project phases. As part of the project preparation and conceptual design, detailed sustainability strategies, studies and plans were developed, which set out the standards and sustainability principles to be applied during the design process;

  •  Energy, water, microclimate, noise pollution, ecology, universal design, building material efficiency, waste management and light pollution prevention strategies were developed.
  • Flood risk assessment, passive design and renewable energy feasibility study, functional adaptation strategy, climate change adaptation strategy, daylighting simulation, thermal comfort simulation and energy simulation have been carried out to inform project decisions and maximise the project’s critical value.

 

  • All relevant project delivery stakeholders and third-party stakeholders were regularly consulted from the early project stages to ensure the integrative project delivery. As part of the consultation process, among others the local authorities, utility bodies, as well as residents, NGOs, passengers, cultural groups, clients of local sports infrastructures, and representatives of several professional organisations could share their aspects with the project team. The consultations resulted in several changes in the design.
  • The design and the layout of the floor plans provide excellent natural lighting and views on all levels of the building. More than 96% of the building area meets the daylighting criteria of BREEAM, and 100% of the building area provides adequate view out.
  • The project meets strict universal design requirements, ensuring that the building can be used by people with disabilities, the elderly and young, as well as families and children.
  • The energy consumption of the building is metered by floor and by fuel type, and the measured data is assigned to various end use categories in the building automation system, so that any outages or deviations from normal operating conditions can be quickly detected and investigated.
  • Energy efficient lighting (100% LED), as well as energy efficient elevators have been installed to reduce operational energy consumption.
  • Hot water is partly produced by solar panels on the roof.
  •  The building is located on a site with exceptional public transport coverage (1 metro line, 1 major tram line, 5 bus lines and several long-distance buses are within 500 meter walking distance).
  • Hundreds of bicycle racks, as well as changing rooms and showers in the building are available for employee use.
  • 3% of the parking spaces are equipped with electric car chargers.
  • A smart water metering system, integrated in the building automation system, is capable of detecting major water leaks within the building.
  • Sanitary water use has been minimised by the implementation of water efficient taps, shower heads, dual flush toilets and low water use appliances.
  • Preference was given to the use of environmentally sound construction materials, in particular timber from legal sources, certified to FSC or PEFC. All of the major building structures were supplied by manufacturers who are certified against ISO 14001.
  • 93% of the demolition waste, as well as 97% of the construction waste generated was diverted from landfill.
  • 100% of the development’s footprint is on an area of land which has previously been occupied by buildings or fixed surface infrastructure.
  • Landscaping and green roofs have created ecologically valuable habitats in the project area, providing not only flora but also urban fauna. More than 80% of the plant installation consists of appropriate native species mixed with stress tolerant species.

Benefits of Certifying to BREEAM

The comprehensive criteria system of BREEAM helped the project to develop a prominently sustainable and high quality building which takes into account all the relevant aspects of eco-friendly design, while providing premium office space for all of the tenants.

AGORA Budapest represents the highest quality in every respect. When I take a tour in the building with potential tenants I see the surprise on their faces as they realise the amount of light the building recieves, and the high quality of the spaces. It feels incredibly good.”

-Robert Kubinsky – CEO, HB Reavis Hungary