A brand new office building in the heart of Bristol’s bustling business district has given a fresh perspective on what it means to be a truly ‘green’ industrial space.
The headquarters of Imperial Tobacco, in south Bristol, has been developed with a focus on alternative energy sources at the forefront – a move that, according to Imperial’s Director Ken Hill, reflects the firms ‘spirit and ethos’.
Stoke Gifford-based construction firm BAM headed the project, envisaging an ultra-modern space with functionality at its core.
Joining the ranks of many other modern office spaces, the 83,000 square foot construction receives at least a portion of its power from dedicated solar panels, and employs a water system that is highly-efficient and runs on greywater.
Hill has played down the extent of the project, claiming Imperial “did not want a big, flash building. We wanted to create an office block where people feel comfortable. The whole building is designed around the people who use it.”
With the 750 employees taking up workstations in the building once construction is complete served by an impressive central canteen and gymnasium, Hill seems to have made good on his promise for a people-centric approach.
“It is a testament to our work on their new global head office that a company of such stature has selected us for this project,” said BAM’s construction director Nick Goff. “We are looking forward to using our skills and experience to ensure the scheme benefits the local community and environment as much as it does the staff of Imperial Tobacco.”
BAM have proved a staple name in ecologically sound design in recent years, with projects country-wide taking on an increasingly ‘green’ ethos. The company has more than 20 live projects in the city of Bristol alone, including three schools.
Work on Imperial Tobacco’s new headquarters is due for completion in July 2014.
