Refurbishment resource efficiency case study: Exchange Tower, London

Commercial office block: SKA Silver achieved

ISG refurbished four floors of the office block to Grade A specification. The scheme has achieved SKA Silver for the refurbished elements of the building, which required many aspects of resource efficiency to be incorporated.

Business benefits
Re-use of existing structure enabled current
tenants to remain in place while the refurbishment works were conducted.

Over 300 tonnes of construction waste was

diverted from landfill, providing financial savings and benefitting local charity organisations.

Efficient sanitaryware will help to reduce water

bills.

The project has achieved SKA Silver accreditation

from RICS.

Project background
Exchange Tower is a 16 storey building located on the Isle of Dogs in East London, directly to the south of Canary Wharf. Built in 1989, the building is constructed around a reinforced concrete frame with a distinctive, high-performance blue curtain walling system. In 2010 MGPA acquired Exchange Tower and started a phased refurbishment procedure to provide new Grade A specification lettable office space.

Exchange Tower: A ground level view

Planning for resource efficiency

MGPA has a commitment to sustainable development, ensuring that all developments and refurbishments are sustainable both in terms of their environmental impact and economic return. [MGPA] are committed to resource efficiency through reducing energy and material use and adhering to targets for waste disposal (MGPA Balance, Resource Management) ISG were selected to complete the refurbishment works with considerable attention to resource efficiency in procurement, waste minimisation measures and operational efficiency potential.

Project details
Location Client Contractor Project cost Docklands, London MGPA ISG 3.5 million

Materials quantity
A selection of the existing materials were re-used to prevent unnecessary replacement costs, including:

Embodied carbon
The existing concrete structure was retained offering both financial and resource efficiencies savings.

existing fixtures and fittings; all core and toilet doors; 10% of the existing ceiling tiles; and 100% of trailing leads.

An estimated 42,000m3 of concrete was retained, This resulted in the preservation of 11,000 tonnes
of embodied carbon, preventing its potential waste and re-instatement.

Materials wastage
ISG minimised waste and diverted 97% of waste from landfill. This was achieved through initiatives both at procurement and onsite.

Water use
Low flow fixtures and fittings were installed including:

low capacity dual flush WCs; and aerated taps.

Material off-cuts were minimised by ordering

specified cutting lengths.

Life span, e.g. durability

Measures taken to maximise the life-span of the refurbishment include:

Waste was segregated onsite into a total of ten

waste streams. A total of 283 tonnes of waste was diverted from landfill.

installation of durable tiled flooring; and metal kick and hand plates on all doors.

A further 30 tonnes of strip-out waste was

diverted from landfill through charitable donations. This included 16 tonnes of fitted cupboard units and 2.3 tonnes of fire doors and sanitary units.

End of life potential

A flexible floor-plate ensures the potential for re-use with limited rectification works. The flexible floorplates range from 1,000 to 30,400 sqft.

Agreements with suppliers saw the return and reuse of all cable drums and pallets delivered to site.

Recycled content
All purchased materials were evaluated on the following factors.

Recycled content. Potential for end of life re-use/ recycling. Their rating in BREs Green Guide to Specification
(a minimum A rating was prioritised).

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