Carbon centre becomes first refurb to gain BREAAM Outstanding

The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation has become the first UK refurbishment scheme to be awarded a BREEAM outstanding rating…

The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Innovation (ECCI) has hit a major milestone by becoming the first refurbished building in the UK to achieve a BREEAM rating of outstanding, scoring a significant 87.5 per cent.

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) is used to measure the efficiency of a building. It uses a rating system based on areas such as waste, pollution, ecology, materials, transport, and energy.

Since it launched in 1990, some 425,000 buildings have been given a certified BREEAM rating. Around two million buildings have registered for assessment.

The ECCI, which was opened in October 2015, was developed by Graham Construction. The centre is a leading force in carbon research.

Graham Construction refurbished and remodelled the 17^th century Old High School. This saw a number of new modern buildings built, giving the centre an innovation suite, new lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and exhibition space.

Graham Construction’s Regional Director Neil McFarlane said: “To achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating with a refurbishment project is extremely challenging and a fantastic achievement for Graham Construction.

“This is not only the first refurbished building in Scotland to attain this badge of honour, but across the UK as a whole.

“It demonstrates Graham’s capability as an innovative construction company, delivering a project which saves 30 per cent in energy consumption of the building’s former performance.

“The construction of the building involved a careful integration of the old with the new – including cutting-edge features such as the introduction of double glazing to a listed building, PV’s to the roof, an Air Source Heat Pump and connections to the nearby District Heating Network and CHP which overall allow a 40 per cent decrease in CO2 emissions and meet 57 per cent of the energy demand. It’s fantastic to be awarded with this esteemed accolade.”