The new building consolidates British Gas employees from three separate sites into a new three-storey building. Spread over 81,000 square feet, the new fit-out has been designed to conserve energy and environmental best practices as well as providing an inspiring and flexible place to work.
Scott Brownrigg has introduced a concept that represents the four key sources of renewable energy. The floor plate has been divided into four corners, each representing an individual natural energy source, sun, wind, earth and water. Each corner is illustrated with the use of colour, materiality, furniture and graphics. For example, a lush three-storey living green wall located within the atrium is a major feature of the building and forms part of the “earth” zone design, as well as act as an acoustic buffer.
The overall design concept throughout the building is reflected through the use of a dandelion motif with the dandelion representing all the natural energy sources coming together to reflect growth and regeneration.
Scott Brownrigg created two work floors using a workplace strategy which focuses on “the in-between spaces”. These spaces, which are separate from individuals’ desks and dedicated work zones, provide alternative settings where staff can collaborate and concentrate. All these spaces are supported by Wi-Fi, power and refreshments.
The ground floor features a business lounge, a variety of meeting rooms and a 200-seat restaurant. The outside area, adjacent to the restaurant and the terrace on the second floor, has also been utilised by adding clusters of seating, which has created additional meeting spaces and eating spaces in the warmer months.
The building and fit out has achieved BREEAM “Excellent” and an EPC A rating. The building showcases the renewable energies and technologies that British Gas supplies and promotes. The two plant towers on both the East and West facades house the mechanical services and three biomass boilers which are targeted to provide 90% of the buildings’ heating on demand. Photo voltaic and solar thermal panels have been incorporated onto the roof to produce power and hot water for the building.
