The first few months of construction of Cherwell District Council’s (CDC) Eco business centre, at the Elmsbrook development in Bicester, has flown by with rapid progress in the early stages of construction.
Main contractor Kier has undertaken the installation of all the first phase underground drainage, attenuation tanks and rainwater harvesting solution – a major feature to help the building reach the desired level of sustainability.
Virtus Consult is managing the project for long-standing client CDC and after just a few weeks the local district heating has been connected, with the other service connections well- underway.
After leveling the site and excavation of the foundations, it is always good to report the ground floor concrete slab has been poured, with the columns and first floor ready to be added.
Working for CDC as Project Manager, Cost Consultant and CDM Advisor, it is gratifying to be part of this innovative project to create a three-floor, 1,400 sqm building that will eventually accommodate up to 125 people working in local small businesses.
Sustainability is at the heart of the development
It’s not just a sustainable building, with solar panels and a design that helps minimise energy and water consumption. The location allows
tenants to easily adopt sustainable ways to travel to work, on foot, by bike or public transport, as the Council seek ways of reducing the use of private cars, without penalising drivers.
We will keep you updated with progress of this important and innovative building, which as you can see is already taking shape, just a few months into the project.
As it begins to emerge from the ground, we are beginning to get a true sense of its scale. Its place in the heart of the local community, where it will have a very positive impact is obvious from this last picture.
