GMI CONSTRUCTION GROUP PRAISED FOR CARBON REDUCING MEASURES ON MAJOR NORTHERN DEVELOPMENTS

GMI Construction Group and its client Scarborough International Group (SGI) have been recognised for using a special, carbon neutral aluminium on two of significant schemes in Yorkshire.

A revolutionary new form of aluminium curtain walling has been installed within the building envelopes at B3, a 133,117 sq ft office building at Thorpe Park Leeds and Endeavour, a 65,000 sq ft office building at Sheffield Digital Campus by curtain wall contractor Casu Consulto.

As a result, GMI Construction and SGI are cutting more carbon within building envelopes than any other contractor and developer in the UK to date.

The product, Hydro CIRCAL 75R, is available exclusively through Technal UK, a brand of Hydro Building Systems UK limited, and subsidiary of Norwegian multinational company and innovator, Norsk Hydro. A special award was presented by Technal UK to representatives from GMI Construction, SGI, and architect CJCT on site at Thorpe Park Leeds.

Hydro CIRCAL 75R uses a minimum of 75 per cent post-consumer recycled aluminium, which has cut over 473 tonnes of CO2 emissions from the award-winning buildings and promises to be 100 per cent recyclable should the buildings be replaced in the future.

It is a much more environmentally friendly product than primary aluminium and one which contributes to the development of a circular economy through the reuse of materials.

The technology is obtained by dismantling old windows, doors and facades that have reached the end of their economic lifecycle and remelting them for reuse again. This process makes it possible to reduce the removal of minerals from the earth, avoids the emissions of waste into the natural environment, reduces the energy consumption of the production process and limits the amount of CO2 emissions released into the atmosphere.

Andrew Hurcomb, Divisional Managing Director – Yorkshire at GMI Construction Group, said: “Sustainability is a central component of our construction programmes, and we are keen to work with a supply chain that can deliver innovative and green solutions, which minimise the impact on the environment.

“The forward thinking, environmental focus of SGI creates a partnership that enables us to push the boundaries of the schemes we deliver, making them as green as possible without ever compromising on quality.”

Adam Varley, Development Director at SGI said: “As part of our fabric first approach to design and construction, SGI is committed to working with our responsible, expert partners in finding ways to reduce CO2 emissions from our buildings.

“We are delighted to have been able to lead by example in the UK by using the greenest aluminium products on the market for the entire envelope of these new buildings at Thorpe Park Leeds and Sheffield Digital Campus.”

Daniel Holden, Managing Director at Casu Consulto Limited, said: “Developing, designing and delivering full envelope product solutions in partnership with GMI, CJCT and SGI for two landmark developments across the Northern Powerhouse has been a challenging and exciting opportunity to utilise the market leading capabilities of the CIRCAL 75R system in a highly visible and impactful way.

“CASU is delighted to have been an integral part of both schemes, driving cost effective quality whilst working at the cutting edge of sustainability across 12,000m2 of aluminium facades.”

Allan Barr, Managing Director at Hydro Building Systems UK limited, said: “Technal UK is committed to partnering with likeminded, forward thinking, sustainable companies. It was a great pleasure to be asked by GMI, CJCT, SGI and CASU to be part of these highly visible projects and be given the opportunity to put forward our Technal UK products that incorporate Circal 75R Aluminium.”

“Sustainable development must be on everyone’s agenda going forward and needs to be driven along the sustainable pathways by companies like by GMI, CJCT, SGI and CASU. Technal thanks all parties involved for the opportunity to utilise our low carbon innovations.”

B3 is the latest new £52 million, state of the art office building to take shape at Thorpe Park Leeds. It is pre-let to credit management company Lowell in a deal that represents the largest single out of town office deal ever recorded in West Yorkshire and the biggest property transaction in the Northern Powerhouse region over the last two years.

Thorpe Park Leeds is one of the most successful business hubs in the north of the UK. The award winning, 1.35 million sq ft mixed use destination is home to over 100 businesses with more than 5,000 people benefitting from expansive green spaces, wellbeing facilities, and excellent new transport infrastructure including the forthcoming dedicated railway station.

Endeavour is an impressive new eight-storey, 65,000 sq ft, Grade A, BREEAM Excellent office building offering highly efficient floorplates in Sheffield City Centre. It is the fourth and final building at Sheffield Digital Campus completing a successful 15-year development programme for SGI to bring nearly 250,000 sq ft of prime workspace to the city. Earlier this month SGI announced an agreement to let the entire building to BT in the largest single office deal in Sheffield since 2016.