MCR Has 'World's Most Environmentally Friendly Building'

AHEAD of its official opening by the Queen, The Co-operative Group’s new head office in Manchester has been declared the most environmentally-friendly building in the world. 

They have created a highly sustainable, extremely low carbon space. An excellent working environment with deep green credentials.

The accolade comes on the day (14 November) The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, tour One Angel Square and unveil a plaque to mark the formal opening of the 14 storey building in the city centre. 

The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), an internationally acclaimed system of assessing buildings, gave One Angel Square a score of 95.16% - the highest ever awarded. 

The award comes as a result of the building’s many environmentally friendly features, which include power generated from crops grown on the Group’s farms; heating and cooling the premises by drawing air below the basement and redistributing it at the earth’s core temperature; and a double skin façade that acts as a ‘duvet’ to insulate the offices in the winter and ventilate it in the summer. 

One Angel Square is phase one of NOMA, a major scheme to redevelop 20 acres of the northern part of Manchester city centre. The 10 year programme will create a mixed use district, incorporating office space, residential, and leisure facilities. 

Gavin Dunn, Director of BREEAM, BRE Global, said: “This achievement of the highest score ever under BREEAM reflects an ambitious vision and commitment from The Co-operative Group and their project team. They have created a highly sustainable, extremely low carbon space. An excellent working environment with deep green credentials.”

Here's our Confidential picture gallery of this remarkable building.

One Angel Square