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One Angel Square Case Study

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Chellamuthu Haripriya
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19 views3 pages

One Angel Square Case Study

Uploaded by

Chellamuthu Haripriya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Case Study: One Angel Square - Sustainable Office Building

Introduction

One Angel Square, the headquarters of the Co-operative Group in Manchester, UK,

stands as one of the most sustainable large-scale office buildings in Europe. Completed in 2013,

the building is designed to meet the highest environmental standards, achieving a BREEAM

Outstanding rating. Its innovative design focuses on reducing energy consumption, enhancing

employee comfort, and minimizing the carbon footprint.

Passive and Active Design Features

Passive Design

- Orientation and Natural Lighting: The building is oriented to maximize natural light, with a glass

façade

that reduces the need for artificial lighting during the day.

- Thermal Mass: High-density materials, such as concrete floors, are used to absorb heat during the

day and release it

at night, maintaining thermal comfort without heavy reliance on HVAC systems.

- Natural Ventilation: A double skin façade facilitates natural airflow. Cool air is drawn in through the

lower part

of the façade, while warm air is expelled through the top, reducing the need for mechanical

ventilation.

Active Design

- Trigeneration Plant: One Angel Square uses a combined heat and power (CHP) system, running

on rapeseed

oil grown by the Co-op's own farms. This system provides heating, cooling, and electricity, reducing

reliance on the grid.


- Energy Recovery: Excess heat from the building is captured and reused to reduce overall energy

consumption.

- Rainwater Harvesting and Greywater Recycling: The building collects and recycles rainwater,

using it for flushing

toilets and other non-potable applications.

Sustainable Materials

The building extensively uses locally sourced and recycled materials, including recycled

steel and concrete, which reduces the embodied carbon in construction. The green construction

approach extends to the use

of low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) materials, improving indoor air quality and the health of

its occupants.

Environmental Impact

- Energy Efficiency: One Angel Square consumes 50% less energy than conventional buildings of

similar size.

- Water Management: With its rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems, the building

reduces water consumption by 30%.

- Carbon Footprint: By using renewable energy sources and efficient design, the building has a

significantly lower carbon footprint.

Economic Considerations

- Initial Investment: The upfront cost of implementing sustainable features, including the

trigeneration plant and

double skin façade, was higher than traditional construction. However, the building's energy savings

and reduced operating

costs provide a strong return on investment.

- Payback Period: The payback period for the building's sustainable features is estimated to be
around 8-10 years.

Social and Employee Impact

One Angel Square was designed with employee well-being in mind. The focus on natural light,

ventilation,

and indoor air quality enhances the work environment, leading to higher productivity and lower

absenteeism. The open office

layout encourages collaboration, while green spaces provide areas for relaxation and informal

meetings.

Conclusion

One Angel Square serves as a benchmark for sustainable commercial buildings. Its combination of

passive

and active design strategies, renewable energy use, and focus on occupant well-being makes it a

model for future developments.

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