Keys to the spectacular 40,000 sq ft eco-headquarters of Exeter-based research company ATASS Group have been handed over by project developers, Summerfield.
The development, billed as one of the most significant to take place in Exeter, achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating at design stage, the highest score ever for a building in the city. The fittingly named Oxygen House is located at junction 29 of the M5 on Exeter Business Park.
ATASS commissioned the build in 2008 with environment and employee welfare high on the agenda. Global architecture, urbanism and design practice Broadway Malyan was challenged to design an inspirational building which delivered highly in terms of functionality and long-term sustainability.
Broadway Malyan director David Anderson said: “The completion of Oxygen House marks a major chapter in what is one of the most prominent new-build workplace projects in Exeter. It is testament to close partnering between our team of expert designers, which also designed the adjacent Met Office, with the client and wider project team. The exemplar design reflects the nature of the client’s sports-focused business, as well as the city’s nautical heritage and will provide a dynamic business with a flexible platform for future growth.”
Oxygen House generates its own micro electricity on site. Pioneering features such as PV (photovoltaic solar panels) in the atrium glass and a heat-collecting concrete frame are incorporated with external PV cells, energy efficient lighting systems, electric car charging points and air source heat pumps.
Paul Bennett, Project Manager at Summerfield comments: “This was a design and engineering feat relished by our project team. We overcame the demands of using previously untested techniques and along the way learnt valuable skills which will carve the way for future eco-builds.”
ATASS’s ethos of ‘our people are everything’ is reflected throughout the build with a staff health-food restaurant, all-weather sports pitch, gym, library and games zones.
Head of Marketing at ATASS, Vanessa Cobb, says: “We wanted a truly inspirational workspace where ideas can flourish. Oxygen House provides space for our radical growth plans while supporting our goals in carbon reduction and energy efficiency.”
The concept design of the vibrant fit out was undertaken by Plymouth-based interior architects, ADG, headed by Juliet Sluce who explained: “This has been the ultimate design project for me in terms of creativity. It is relatively rare to be able to start with a clean canvas and produce something special without too much constraint.”
South West construction group Midas was responsible for the build. Ian Pitman of Midas commented: “We are delighted to have been involved in the construction of such a special and unique building.”
David Partridge, Cost Manager at Summerfield, commented on the project: “There is a great sense of pride at Summerfield to have developed such an outstanding and genuinely green building. The completion of Oxygen House has transformed ambitious plans into a tangible and exciting reality that has already become part of the gateway to Exeter.”
ATASS Group is a portfolio of profit-making and social enterprises founded by statistician Mark Dixon in 2000 with the launch of ATASS Sports. The group maintained consistent growth throughout the recession and it now operates primarily in the sports, education, renewable energy and leisure sectors.
