Major Milestone for Jersey's Green Landmark

Three local companies, Camerons, Ogier and local development group JCN, are working together on the development of 44 Esplanade.

The building, which has been hailed as an example of best practice and a model of environmental cooperation, is on track for completion in August. Ogier will then take a further 12 months to fit it out.
Guest of honour Senator Philip Ozouf (above) plus developers, contractors and guests attended a lunchtime ceremony where Marc Burton, Managing Director of the project’s construction firm Camerons, presented a silver trowel to the building’s owner, JCN, to mark the occasion. Mr Burton explained: “Topping out ceremonies are always significant as they mark the point at which a new stricture is wind and water tight. Effectively, it’s when it can truly be called a building.” He added: “Today’s celebration is doubly significant as 44 Esplanade sets new environmental standards, so we’re also marking a new chapter in local construction.”

Mr Tim Daniels, managing the project for Ogier, sais that like Camerons, the firm is fully committed to sustainability and environmental best practice.
“So it is heartening to see the new building taking shape”, he said.
“It’s designed and built on very tight tolerances, so there will be minimal impact on the environment though it’s operation, which will also make it extremely cost-effective to run. The building is a tangible manifestation of Ogier’s commitment to excellence. It will enable us to bring all the elements of our business under one roof which will deliver real benefits to our clients. This really will be an awesome place to work and it’s exciting to see it all coming together.”

Mr Daniels said that Ogier’s commitment is not limited to the building: “We’re also examining all aspects of the way we do business, as part of our commitment to Jersey. We are looking to reduce our impact on the environment by making provision for alternative methods of getting to work including well appointed showers, changing and storage spaces for cyclists and runners. The building reflects Ogier’s commitment to be the best to work with and the best to work for.

Treasury minister and guest of honour Senator Philip Ozouf said he was delighted to see the project nearing completion: “As the largest single office block built in the Channel Islands to date, it represents a considerable contribution to the island’s finance industry and clearly demonstrates the strengh in the industry. It is truly encouraging to see that it is possible to combine an ecological approach and building a state of the new art facility. A landmark building such as this is another strong vote of confidence in the economy in what are difficult economic times.”

Both Ogier and Camerons are Eco-Active Business accredited companies. Camerons was the first Jersey Construction firm to make a formal commitment to the scheme and went on to become the first to earn level two accreditation (see Note 6), which it was awarded last year. Mr Burton said that in order to develop a thorough understanding of the environmental aspect of construction, Camerons’ project Manager, Phil Horsley, had qualified as an assessor for BREEAM, which is a national environmental construction initiative. This has enabled Mr Horsley to assess the carbon footprint of 44 Esplanade, and is managing all aspect of the construction process, including water and fuel consumption, as well as waste management to meet a target rating.

Local developers JCN purchased the building and have spent the last 10 years planning redevelopment of the site.
They are first to undertake a project in Jersey using the BREEAM process as the benchmark. The company opted for a project target rating of “very good”, which was set as a planning condition. From inception of the project JCN retained Tillyards as project managers and cost consultants and have worked closely with them to ensure the timely completion of the project and within the initial budget. They also retained local architects Naish Waddington who have designed a very modern and pleasing design.
Mr Simon Neal, Director of JCBN Group Companies, said: “BREEAM signals the start of a new era in development, with the environment taking precedence over a great many other considerations. 44 Esplanade demonstrates this new philosophy, bringing together like minded organizations to create a technically and environmentally advanced structure that puts Jersey at the forefront of this green development revolution; sustainable architecture of the highest quality, it really is a building for the future”.

Environmental benefits and features of 44 The Esplanade Jersey include:
• 3 Atria, maximising day lighting rather than purely artificial light;
• Solar shading rather than just cooling from air-conditioning;
• Movement sensors to avoid electricity being wasted;
• Efficient use of space to avoid waste of embodied energy in materials;
• Maintained flexibility by allowing building to be split into two or more;
• Sub meters to each floor to allow more than one tenant;
• Acoustic performance criteria;
• Design out legionnaire / Microbial contamination;
• Thermal zoning for different rooms;
• Reduction of night time light pollution;
• Water efficient appliances;
• Leak detection to avoid waste of consumables;
• Low polluting plant and machinery;
• Alternative transport connexion to reduce use of the car e.g. bicycle and bus;
• An improve internal environment for occupants;
• Reduced utility bills;
• Increased staff productivity through design;
• High levels of insulation;
• High efficiency lighting;
• Variable speed drives on pump and fans;
• Efficient heat recuperation from extract air;
• Automatic lighting controls incorporating occupancy detection and day light saving where appropriate;
• Building & Energy Management Systems;
• Night cooling;
• Life-long manuals of how to operate and maintain the sustainable building, with simplified versions for staff;
• Independent lighting, to avoid areas that don’t need lighting;
• Staff retention and attraction by providing a better working environment;
• BREEAM giving the eco-credentials credibility (Very Good rating);
• Seasonal Commissioning, to ensure the building is operating at optimum efficiency all year round;
• Automated water shut off to WCs to avoid water being wasted;
• Space allocated for storage of recyclable waste, promoting green management strategies within the building.