Owned by Prologis UK, the 233,860 sq. ft. building – known as DC3a – achieved a BREEAM rating of 88.8% (Outstanding). This is the highest ever rating recorded for any new industrial shell and core building assessed under the BREEAM 2018 New Construction Manual (Industrial - Shell and Core). Categories in the assessment include energy, materials, waste, water, transportation, health and wellbeing, and many more.

The two-storey, aluminium cladded distribution centre uses a range of climate mitigation measures, as well as electrical vehicle charging points and cycle shelters, roof mounted PV panels have been installed, sufficient to providing 151kWp. 

The building also includes rainscreen cladding to the main office and a unique Brise Soliel system which controls the amount of sunlight and solar heat that enters the building. On top of this, the building uses an energy-efficient, rainwater harvesting system.

While the 88.8% (Outstanding) rating is the highest ever recorded for the construction of a new industrial building, VolkerFitzpatrick has a long standing relationship with Prologis and all Prologis buildings are certified as net zero emissions by design. The speculative development of DC3a, means that Prologis UK now has more than 770,000 sq. ft. of logistics space at Maylands Business Park.

Stuart Deverill, managing director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s building division, said: “It is extremely satisfying to know that the efforts made to construct this building in the most sustainable way possible have been recognised. This couldn’t have been achieved without Prologis UK’s sustainability vision, and the commitment of our construction partners right across the supply chain.”

Martin Cooper, Vice President, project management at Prologis UK, said:

“We are very proud of this record-breaking BREEAM rating, which underlines the care and commitment that we give to developing structures that really are best in class and built for the long term. The property has attracted great market interest, not just due to its sustainability credentials, but also due to its excellent location to the east of Hemel Hempstead, close to Junction 8 of the M1, with access to London and the South East.”