A new green commercial development in Nottingham was opened recently with a walk along a path through a newly created wetland habitat which is part of the site. No. 1 Nottingham Science Park aims to be a development that sets new standards in design and a new approach to environmental sustainability. Specialist regeneration developer Blueprint has already collected a string of nominations and awards for the project, which was completed in the summer, and hundreds of guests attended the “Picnic in the Park” in autumn sunshine to celebrate the official opening.
Declaring the 45,000 sq ft development open for business, Minister for the East Midlands Phil Hope MP said he was amazed by the building’s design and delighted by its green credentials. He enthused about the development’s attractive public spaces and its potential contribution to the region’s knowledge-based economy. He was very confident it would attract inward investment and create new jobs.
“I am very impressed by the spaces around the buildings. It is such a refreshing change from the usual sea of tarmac and cars. I am also delighted to learn that No. 1 will use little more than half the energy of conventional offices. Given the threat of climate change, we really do need to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.”
Nick Ebbs, Chief Executive at Blueprint, said: “Picnic in the Park is a party – a celebration infact of Blueprint’s achievements so far, and the occasion for the formal launch of our second building at Nottingham Science Park”.
“The design of No. 1 Nottingham Science Park is bold and adventurous, a good match to the spirit of its potential occupiers. It incorporates sustainability not as an ‘add-on’ but as an intrinsic quality of the building and creates a place that inspires and stimulates.”
No. 1 is the focal point of a 12-acre extension to Nottingham’s existing Science Park, which has turned a contaminated site into one of the most exciting new developments of its kind in the country. Designed by award winning architects, London-based Studio Egret West, No. 1 is the biggest speculative development of its kind in Nottingham, targeted at growing hi-tech businesses wanting space from 2,000 sq ft upwards on flexible terms.
Green features include hi-tech elements like a biomass boiler, a water based cooling system, sustainable materials and simple but highly effective low-tech solutions including opening windows and optimisation of natural light.
Businesses from sectors including environmental research, IT and Internet, medical science, product design and research, and health are in discussions to take space within the building, or on adjacent design and build land.
Blueprint has worked with a range of partners on the Science Park – including emda, Nottingham City Council and Greater Nottingham Partnership and the project was past financed by the European Union Regional Development Fund.