Three Chamberlain Square, Paradise Birmingham

A 10-storey development providing 18,000m² of commercial and retail space. With a focus on setting new standards for sustainability and wellbeing, the development is looking to provide the city with a landmark building which is net zero in operational energy and embodied carbon. The building’s orientation and design maximises the views towards some of Birmingham's most notable landmarks including the Town Hall, Council House, Museum and Art Gallery.

The development was the first in the West Midlands to receive a 5-star NABERS rating, a scheme which measures the environmental performance and progress of buildings, with our multi-disciplinary team leading the development of design solutions to enable the achievement of net zero carbon operational energy targets. The selection of construction materials and approaches will also enable the development to be net zero embodied carbon. Our transportation team, who are ActiveScore Accredited Professionals, have provided active travel design advice in support of the scheme, resulting in the site being awarded a Platinum ActiveScore Certification.

Our fire team used engineering analysis to reduce necessary structural fire resistance periods, therefore saving on concrete use. An engineered solution to basement smoke ventilation was developed due to difficulties in accommodating the system in the crowded service space available.

Mike Gosling, Partner commented "Our team has been instrumental in developing solutions that minimise the whole life carbon impact of the building. Structural frame option assessments have compared a range of options to determine the optimum solution for the project in relation to embodied carbon. These studies were complemented by a carefully designed and optimised building engineering solution to minimise operational carbon emissions."