Member Article

Gateshead business centre ?very green?

A Tyneside business centre has been recognised for its environmental awareness. Gateshead Council’s International Business Centre has been awarded a ‘very good’ rating after an environmental assessment by the BRE (Building Research Establishment).

Councillor Ian Mearns, deputy leader of Gateshead Council, said: “We are committed to reducing the burden on the environment and this centre makes use of the most advanced and innovative technologies to do so. Gateshead International Business Centre (GIBC) is probably the most energy-efficient public building in the north!”

The award recognises the efforts made by staff to reduce the environmental impact of the GIBC, paying close attention to management, energy and transport, water use, land use, health, and pollution. GIBC is the first council-owned building to generate its own electricity directly from the sun. The south-facing front of the building is fitted with 36 glass photovoltaic panels which use the energy of the sun to generate electricity. Along with additional panels on the roof, they can generate up to 34 kilowatts of electricity per hour – enough to power the building’s sophisticated heating and cooling system.

The £4 million building was designed by the council and opened in 2004 to support new and young creative businesses. There are currently 34 businesses based there supporting over 100 jobs. The BRE assessor also recognised the centre’s energy efficient lighting and heating systems as reducing the impact on the environment. The BRE assessment is voluntary but widely recognised for its work in quantifying and reducing the amount of environmental damage caused by new buildings.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .