Overbury achieves first ever BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ under new scheme

In order to achieve the acclaimed BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating, Overbury worked closely with the client to create a programme that incorporated a sustainable approach throughout the fast-tracked eight-week refurbishment. This included working closely with the selected waste contractor Mobile Compactor Services (MCS) to establish routes for the materials to be directly recycled or reused, as well as undertaking a pre-refurbishment audit of the site to influence how all waste would be managed.

33 tonnes (100%) of waste was diverted from the landfill and an Overbury BRE-trained ‘site sustainability champion’ kept track of waste targets, provided advice to the project team and assisted with the efficient procurement of materials.

All wood used on site was FSC or PEFC approved to ensure that it was from a legal and sustainable source and an indoor air quality plan was implemented over the course of the project. At the end of the project, testing was undertaken to ensure that the air entering the office was of the highest quality and low in volatile organic compounds (VOC). In addition, Overbury introduced a rigorous organisational system to collect BREEAM evidence, ensuring the accurate live recording of all energy usage and transport of waste and materials to and from site.

“This is a huge achievement for Overbury and Broadgate Estates,” adds Overbury’s head of environmental and sustainability Joe Croft, “and we were delighted to receive our ‘Outstanding’ certificate after months of exceptional effort across the board. Before, during and post-completion, the team was unified in its mission to deliver a UK first that we are all immensely proud of.”

CEO at Broadgate Estates Steve Whyman comments: “We are really delighted to have achieved the highest BREEAM rating possible. The innovative working environment we have created at “The Hub” combined with recognition of the outstanding sustainability credentials of the design and fit out demonstrates the breadth of capabilities and service that Broadgate Estates can offer.”

The new BREEAM RFO 2014 scheme has raised the bar in demonstrating the sustainability performance of projects by making the purchase, use and disposal of materials a core theme says BREEAM assessor Rigas Malamoutsis of Verte.

“Collaboration is equally important,” he continues. “Key to the success of this project was a robust sustainability brief from Broadgate Estates, GVA Acuity taking ownership of the BREEAM process and Overbury’s delivery team understanding the assessment requirements right from the start. The new scheme poses significant challenges and Overbury took these on with expertise, proving the team’s know-how in supply chain management and site practices.”

Broadgate Estates appointed project manager Anna Scally from GVA Acuity says: "Achieving the highest BREEAM RFO rating is a real credit to the entire project team and Overbury played an instrumental role in this. Our expectations were exceeded when the project was rated ‘Outstanding’ by the BRE."