1000 Aztec West

1000 Aztec West stands as a testament to what is possible with a well-considered retrofit. Working with Commercial Estates Group (Development Manager), the project team has transformed the previously tired office building into a truly modern headquarter building that achieves net zero operational carbon whilst also retaining the original structural frame to limit its embodied carbon impact. 

The office building was originally constructed in the 1980s and, whilst structurally sound, it did not meet modern office requirements and had limited re-use flexibility as internal floor configurations were designed specifically for a microelectronics company that previously occupied the building. Commercial Estates Group took the bold step to fully refurbish the building, upgrading it to net zero operational carbon, adding an additional floor and completely reconfiguring internal spaces and the external façade. 

Working with a team of consultants, the architects developed a revised design, replacing the original façade to achieve a dramatic contemporary appearance externally, whilst providing modern office suites internally, along with a range of facilities such as café, gym, break out area and additional amenity space. By retaining the existing structure, it was estimated that the project has saved some 1.7 million kg of embodied carbon. In order to reach net zero operational carbon, a range of low carbon technologies have been installed, including air source heat pumps and a PV array, and the architects looked to “reduce energy demand through fabric enhancement”.