From a G to a sustainable A label

We tailored the work on the construction site to the primary process of a.s.r. itself. Thanks to an ongoing dialogue, a.s.r. knew where and when we would be undertaking which activities and we knew when we would be unable to work in certain areas. Every day, some 2,800 employees and 350 construction workers worked safely at a.s.r.’s head office during the project.

The head office of a.s.r. dates back to the 1970s and was in need of modernisation. From the point of view of costs and sustainability, renovating the building proved to be the best option. In the Schedule of Requirements, a.s.r. set out a concrete ambition in the area of sustainability. The company wanted to achieve an A energy label and a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. We therefore decided to use sustainable materials and keep the environmental impact low. High quality of use was also a key consideration.

Ultimately, the design and completion received the BREEAM Excellent certification, which is the highest level of certification for existing buildings. This high standard was made possible thanks to a package of structural and electrical engineering measures, including:

• Separating waste into more than six flows, which allowed for 98% of all the demolition waste to be recycled;
• Replacing the concrete parapets with a glazed, climate-regulating façade, which resulted in the reduction of energy consumption as much more daylight can enter the building;
• Using solar panels and heat/cold storage to ensure a sustainable supply of energy;
• Installing climate-regulating ceilings with sprinkler installations.