The South West’s first net zero carbon out-of-town development completed

The South West’s first net zero carbon out-of-town development has been completed at Aztec West, near Bristol.

Commissioned by developer CEG and delivered by Beard Construction, 1000 Aztec West reused the existing frame and shell to deliver the development.

The building’s transformation involved the addition of a new floor and a three-storey atrium at the centre of the all-glass structure.

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This expansion increased the building’s capacity from 38,000 to 80,000 sq ft, making it capable of accommodating an 850 workforce.

The building incorporates a secure cycle block with showers and changing facilities and includes a 1,300 sq ft gym.

As an all-electric building, it relies on renewable energy and features energy-efficient heating, cooling, and lighting systems.

Situated beside Aztec Lake, landscaped gardens, picnic areas, and rooftop terraces contribute to an uplifting atmosphere.

Various indoor spaces, including a café, provide areas for dining, meetings, socialising, and work, all equipped with wi-fi and plug-in points.

Matt Cooper, Bristol director at Beard, said: "We are immensely proud to have played a key role in the delivery of this striking office development.

"Not only does it bring a state-of-the-art facility away from the city centre and out of town, but it sets the benchmark for sustainable, low carbon construction.

"This aligns closely with our core values at Beard and provided a fantastic opportunity to utilise our skills and experience in this area.

Sustainable construction presents both challenges and opportunities. Repurposing the existing steel framework was certainly a challenge, but it provided the opportunity to retain a significant amount of the embodied carbon of the initial build.

"It now serves as a centrepiece of the entire build and a great example of CEG’s ambitions for the project. It has been a pleasure working with CEG and we hope to have the opportunity to work collaboratively again in the future.

Paul Richardson, investment manager at CEG, said: "1000 Aztec West was redesigned with modern tenants’ key requirements in mind.

"From environmental sustainability and data connectivity, to the wide variety of onsite facilities designed to maximise staff wellbeing, we have delivered city-centre specifications not seen in out-of-town Bristol before."

Architect Ed Hayden, director of Scott Brownrigg, said: “Aztec 1000 takes advantage of location, orientation and existing materials to maximise ‘fabric first’ design principles and create a stunning new addition to the architecture of Bristol’s workspace.

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“Sustainability is achieved by retaining as much of the existing material as is practically possible and building passive energy and carbon saving strategies into the layout and fabric of the design.

"Overheating in the summer is negated with the careful specification of extremely high-performing solar control glazing and the inclusion of ‘light shelves’ which bounce daylight into the heart of the building.

"The result is a strikingly contemporary reimagining of the workplace, which Scott Brownrigg is proud to have supported CEG in creating.”