SuDS underpin high quality sustainable office development.

Overview
The design of Volkswagen Financial Services’ (UK) landmark new Headquarters in Milton Keynes is a physical manifestation of the VW Group brand. Construction commenced in 2013 and on Monday 5 January 2015, the offices were opened to employees. The building provides long term premises for VW Group Financial Services in close proximity to the UK Head Offices of the Group’s automotive brands.

The four-storey building, which was shortlisted for a BCO (British Council for Offices) Award, has been constructed to BREEAM Grade A ‘Excellent’ standard and is equipped with 82 roof mounted solar panels, producing 40,000kW per year, and multiple charge points for use with electric vehicles.

Inside, the building provides 100,000 square feet of office space, spread across four floors, along with a staff restaurant, coffee shop and conference centre. Outside, the staff car park and bicycle storage facility are supplemented by green space, designed to complement the style of the building.

What They Did
The SuDS system is required to handle surface water from a 1 in 100-year storm, with an additional allowance of 30% for climate change.

This ensures that the site will remain free of flooding from prolonged, extensive rainfall which is anticipated to become more frequent and intense in line with climate change.

SDS was engaged to supply every aspect of the drainage system (with the sole exception of the manholes).

Two GEOlight® tanks were installed, supported by Channel Drainage and 9 Vortex Flow Controls and over 2,500 square metres of Permeable Block Paving.

Results
SDS embraced the invitation to design a surface water drainage system that would complement the client’s requirements for a high-quality sustainable development.

SDS was able to deliver substantial cost savings through value engineering the design of this installation.

Having reviewed our requirements, SDS took the initiative to design and value engineer a bespoke system, enabling us to pass on significant savings to our client. Their innovative design involved several stages of surface water treatment and was crucial to securing planning approval from the Council and the Environment Agency.

– Sean O’Connor, Site Manager, VINCI Construction

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Similar projects by SDS include Stoke Gifford, Bristol.