Building Project of the Year 2020 - Plot 6 & 7, Central Square – UK Government Regional Hub
Previously occupied by the Western Mail printworks on the north side of Wood Street, Plot 6&7 Central Square forms a key development in the regeneration of the area that has become the new Gateway to the Capital of Wales. Over 12 storeys, the new government hub is one of the largest office developments in Wales, providing over 270,000 sqft of modern fit-for purpose office space for HMRC’s 3000 plus employees.
Located in the heart of the city, the site occupies the Northern Plot of the Central Square Development, adjacent to Wales’ largest sporting leisure venue, The Principality Stadium, which welcomes over 1.3 million visitors each year. To successfully deliver the construction works within 1.6m of the stadium mast, we utilised the BIM model to deliver an enhanced fire protection strategy.
Involved from conception, we engaged early with the local supply chain to deliver a cost-effective solution within the client’s budget. Plot 6 & 7 benefited from innovative strategies in piling design, slip formed core and temporary works. To maximise tenant space, we repurposed the existing basement to house the building’s plant and provide additional car parking space. The project was delivered within the client’s budget and two weeks ahead of programme.
Championing sustainable construction, the project maximised community benefits generating £0.74 of social value return for every £1 spent. We vastly improved the energy efficiency of the building, achieving circa 70% greater air-tightness and 20% carbon reduction against the target of emission rate (TER) of 20 kgCO2/m2.annually. In addition, a high degree of recycling and sustainable construction techniques contributed to a 99.9% diversion from landfill. This resulted in a EPC rating of A, the achievement of BREEAM excellent and a final Considerate Constructors Score of 45/50. Plot 6 & 7 aligns with the Welsh Government’s Construction 2025 strategy and Cardiff City Council 27% carbon reduction by 2020.
Key Achievements
- We retained and incorporated the former structure’s basement within the new building by utilising an innovative piling solution which provided £100k cost savings for the client and optimising ground floor space.
- Improved EPC rating of A, through achieving circa 70% greater airtightness and carbon reduction; the achievement of BREEAM excellent; final Considerate Constructors Score of 45/50 and a 99.9% diversion from landfill.
- Improving impact; providing a social value return to the welsh economy of £1.74 for every £1 spent.
