Richard Lambert Opens First EPC A For NG Bailey

Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, was joined by Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, as guests of building services provider NG Bailey, to officially open what is believed to be the first building in Scotland to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate 'A' rating.

Over 150 business leaders attended the event, to mark NG Bailey's £5.5m investment in the development of Solais House (Gaelic for light). The company's new Scottish Headquarter is a high-quality, sustainable office, developed to demonstrate to CEOs, landlords, contractors and the construction industry alike that early engagement of building services engineers can transform a standard plan design into a sustainable and financially-justifiable building.

Research conducted by NG Bailey with local authorities in Scotland indicates that Solais House is the first EPC 'A' rated building in Scotland, and probably the first standard plan office building in the UK to achieve this level of energy certification.

Solais House, which has been under construction since August 2007, has seen a standard office design evolve into one of Scotland's greenest buildings. As well as achieving EPC grade 'A' and BREEAM 'Excellent' status, it is predicted that the building will be 42.4 per cent better than Part L requirements and the Building Emission Rate will be 13.3kgCO2/m2, per annum.

Richard Lambert, director general of the CBI, comments on the project: "This building is a wonderfully vivid statement of confidence in the future, and a fine example of the ingenuity and innovation that NG Bailey has shown for more than 80 years.

"To meet our challenging climate change targets the UK has to cut carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2050, and more than double its energy efficiency. Greener buildings will be a key part of our future, and it is heartening that the property industry is starting to reflect that."

Paul King, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, adds: "NG Bailey is a committed member of the UK Green Building Council and this new office demonstrates that the company is walking the talk. Solais House shows that a sustainable, energy-efficient building is quite simply a better, higher quality building that will improve productivity, reduce running costs and provide a comfortable and attractive working place."

The official opening event, which took place on 4th September at the two-storey, 19,674 sq ft office site at Strathclyde Business Park, saw Solais House handed over to the 150 NG Bailey employees that will be based there.

Mark Andrews, chief executive at NG Bailey, comments: "The decision to develop Solais House to an EPC 'A' rated and BREEAM 'Excellent' standard not only underpins the company's forward-thinking business strategy and commitment to the sustainability of the built environment, it proves that NG Bailey can meet the changing demands of the construction industry.

"The office has given us the opportunity to showcase our credentials in this fundamental area and provides our employees in the region with a fantastic environment in which to work. We were keen to prove that sustainability isn't all about being seen to be green, but that it can have a demonstrable return on investment through increased asset value and reduced operating costs.

"The project has also allowed us to be in the unique position of contractor and customer - putting us in a great place to advise future customers on our innovative approach."

The investment in green technologies has been based around five key themes: reducing the need for energy; generating power through renewable technology; minimising water consumption and managing rainfall; creating an excellent working environment and reducing environmental impact.

Attention to every detail has ensured that the chosen technologies incorporated into the build provide multiple benefits. Key solutions include solar thermal collectors, which will be used to heat domestic water; application of a new photovoltaic glass, containing integrated solar cells to convert energy into electricity, and a ground source heat pump to provide all heating throughout the building.

Other features include natural ventilation, motorised opening windows and mid-pane blinds to reduce the need for energy-intensive cooling systems. Rainwater harvesting will be integrated with a sustainable urban drainage system for irrigation and WC flushing. Recycling facilities and integrated control systems for lighting and other services have also been incorporated into the design.

The project is a prime example of how all the functions of a building can be truly integrated onto one seamless system by linking the physical and digital elements through an Intelligent Building Management System.

As a location, Strathclyde Business Park met the wider sustainable development requirements for the project. Stephen Lewis, development director with the building developers HF Developments, comments: "Our partnership approach with NG Bailey started with the selection of the Park as the ideal environment for the project. The Park provides excellent transport accessibility, a high quality environment and a wide range of on-site amenities, all pre-requisites for a truly sustainable development.

"Since then we have worked with NG Bailey to create the perfect building to showcase not only the environmental and physical aspects of the project but also how a partnership between a developer and occupier should work. We look forward to welcoming NG Bailey's staff to the Park, adding to the 6,000 people already enjoying the benefits of this location."

Now the project is completed a whole-life costing exercise has been commissioned through BRE, to evaluate actual costs and benefits. Ongoing operating performance will also be monitored through the intelligent building management system.

Ends

Notes to Editors

NG Bailey provides a unique range of end-to-end 'inside the building' services, delivering a whole-life approach to construction and a commitment to the sustainability of the built environment. NG Bailey offers integration from the outset of a project, from planning and design through the supply chain, to off-site manufacture, installation, maintenance and refurbishment. The core offering includes mechanical and electrical contracting and Information Communications & Technology (ICT) expertise.

As a market leader, the company is committed to offering tailored and innovative solutions and has a proven track record in doing so in a broad range of market sectors, including Education and Retail.

NG Bailey employs some 4,000 people in total and has a turnover in the region of £500m, through UK-based operations. People are at the heart of the organisation and it is recognised that NG Bailey has one of the industry's foremost apprenticeship schemes. The Bailey Engineering Academy is backed by an investment in training of more than £4m a year and is a Centre of Vocational Excellence.
www.ngbailey.com

The CBI is the UK's leading business organisation, speaking for some 240,000 businesses that together employ around a third of the private sector workforce.