160 Edinburgh Avenue - SEGRO

Pexhurst Refurbishes BREEAM ‘Excellent’ Sustainable Fit-Out

Fit-out specialist Pexhurst has completed the refurbishment of a spacious industrial unit for SEGRO, the leading UK Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

The project involves the fit-out of an existing warehouse located at 160 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough. The warehouse is conveniently situated on the popular Slough Trading Estate in close proximity to a number of local amenities and transport links. Built in 1988, the single-storey unit stands at an expansive 20,120 ft and was in need of modernisation.

The client’s ambition was to transform the 34-year-old unit into a state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable industrial and warehouse space. Pexhurst were commissioned by SEGRO for the project, working alongside Hollis as the contract administration and project manager.

This was an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) focussed scheme, with a net-zero carbon operation targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’. The project is yet to receive it’s BREEAM accreditation, but is on track to hit its ‘Excellent’ target, accounting for only the top 10% of refurbishment or fit-out projects in the UK. However, the extensive sustainability measures implemented by Pexhurst on the fit-out suggest that the project may even achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ grade, which accounts for less than the top 1% of the UK’s refurbishment or fit-out projects.

Additionally, this project recently received an energy performance certificate, or EPC rating of ‘A+’, meaning that the project will generate more energy than it consumes.

The project required many sustainable initiatives designed to combat air pollution, reduce water wastage and improve energy efficiency. The most distinctive detail on this project is the living green wall on the warehouse’s exterior; providing not only an aesthetically pleasing attribute, but measurable sustainability impacts. The living green wall will significantly increase air quality, producing 94kg of oxygen and extracting 71kg of carbon dioxide per year. In addition to this, Pexhurst also installed EV chargers and cycle shelters to the exterior, promoting sustainable travel. The bike sheds also feature green roofs.

Pexhurst has installed 136 kWp of photovoltaics onto the roof, which is designed to save 26 tonnes of CO2 annually (equivalent to planting over 1,200 trees per year). The team also installed energy efficient LED light fittings with PIR sensors and daylight sensors. To improve air quality, Pexhurst installed air source heat pumps, fresh air ventilation and carbon dioxide sensors to reduce energy consumption. The design is also water efficient, entailing waterless urinals, self-closing push taps and dual flush WC cisterns.

Moreover, all carpets used in the space are carbon neutral. Pexhurst have participated in the ReEntry scheme where old carpet tiles from site were reused, repurposed or recycled and donated to local businesses and charities, ensuring that nothing goes to landfill. Pexhurst also provided planting and nesting boxes for birds and bats, ensuring that local wildlife is suitably accommodated for.

Pexhurst’s experience has proved invaluable on this sustainable warehouse fit-out project. The contractor’s skill is ensuring that a decades-old warehouse is modernised and fit for use and is contributing to a healthier ecosystem.