May 01, 2022
Birmingham Interchange achieves BREEAM 'Outstanding'
Our 10th BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ certified building to date and possibly the most challenging and rewarding, we’re delighted to have led the BREEAM assessment process for HS2 Birmingham Interchange Station – the first BREEAM Outstanding certified railway station globally.
Carbon.Climate.Certified (formerly GWP Project Services) worked within the Arup delivery team for the Interchange Station, HS2’s Midlands hub linking Birmingham NEC, Birmingham International Station and Birmingham Airport. BREEAM standards also extended to the new automated people mover (APM) system which will carry up to 2,100 passengers per hour in each direction between the nearby landmarks.
Sustainability and Climate Change has been a key focus of the design brief on the HS2 Interchange project and we’re pleased that the station will meet net zero carbon targets for its regulated energy demand through high quality passive design features and over 2000sqm of solar PV on site, as well a major emphasis placed on the reduction of embodied carbon through extensive analysis of material life cycle impacts and cradle to grave design considerations.
Directing rainwater from the main station building via a network of underground pipes into a rainwater harvesting tank will assist in providing part of the building’s water requirements. The estimated volume of the rainwater harvesting tank is 150m3 which will reduce the mains water demand for the station. The landscaping features sustainable drainage systems to reduce the burden on surface water drainage whilst naturally irrigating planted areas, and there will be new natural habitats created around the station, leaving a legacy of biodiversity and an enhancement of native species.
There will be 222 electric vehicle charging points, and cycle storage for 176 bicycles with further room for expansion as demand dictates. There will also be dedicated pedestrian access into the station from the east of the railway, along with cycle access to the new station from the north, west and south-east through a mixture of dedicated routes.
We look forward to seeing the scheme move into construction and hope to stay involved to see its conclusion.
Read the press release for more info: https://mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/news/