ABG blueroof

Green Extensive & Paved Areas - Grosvenor House, 1 Wellington Street, Sheffield, UK

Client Sheffield City Council & HSBC
Contractor

BAM Nuttall

Consultant Arup & Leonard Design Associates
Product

ABG blueroof – Blue Roof System

Quantity

4,220 m²

Benefits

– Restricted flow rates to 24 l/s over a total site catchment area of 6,100 m²
– Green roof finish promotes biodiversity and cleans & treats storm water run-off before it reaches the local sewer network
– Avoids need for basement attenuation tanks and the associated carbon and construction costs

Project Description

Grosvenor House is a new 6 storey commercial building and adjoining food and beverage pod constructed in Sheffield City Centre. The finished building was created to a detailed brief from HSBC, who moved into the offices in June 2019. The main block (D) building provides 15,000 sq m of office floor space over four levels including a central atrium, two levels of retail/plant accommodation, a screened rooftop plant area, basement car park, service area and associated works.

The Challenge

In accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, local authorities should prevent both new and existing developments from contributing to, or creating unacceptable risk of flooding and water pollution. The site’s Flood Risk Management Policy listed a number of requirements for the new development to reduce the extent and impact of flooding and to restrict the surface water run-off using Sustainable Drainage.

The allowable rate of run-off / discharge to public sewers was to be a reduction of 30% on the existing rate from a 1 in 1 year rainfall event. This was estimated as 110 l/s for 1.191 ha. Also as part of the pre-planning process, an application was made to evaluate the office areas under the LEED scheme (rather than BREEAM) to meet HSBC’s specification requirements.

The Solution

The attenuation for the buildings is provided at roof level by the ABG blueroof system, comprising a void within the roof structure to temporarily attenuate storm water, before gradually releasing it over a number of hours via ABG’s restrictor chambers.

To meet the LEED assessment criteria the system must restrict rainwater run-off to the 95th percentile of regional or local rainfall events. Credits are also awarded to the development for Heat Island Reduction, including requirements to meet minimum solar reflectance index values. The retail area of the building is covered by a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM assessment. ABG blueroof directly attributes 10 credits under sections POL5; incorporating reduction of noise pollution (3 credits) and sections LE4 (2 credits), LE5 (3 credits) & LE6 (2 credits) for enhancing site ecology and creating a positive impact on biodiversity. In addition to the roof level attenuation areas, the ABG blueroof system was also installed underneath the surrounding walkways and access routes to restrict discharge rates at ground level. This included a large landscaped podium deck area above a service yard, where heavy duty void formers were used in the event emergency vehicle access is required.

Geogreen Installation

  • 3,500m² of storm water storage system with a paved and ballasted surface and 4 restrictor chambers installed for the main roof Level 60 (red shaded area) to enable the building services plant to be securely fixed and provide un-hindered maintenance access.
  • 270m² of ABG blue roof system with 2 restrictor chambers installed for the L50 terrace (purple shaded area)
  • 450m² of blue roof with extensive green roof finish and 4 restrictor chambers for the adjoining food and beverage ‘Kiosk’ building (yellow / orange shaded areas).
  • Over 2,000m² of blue roof capacity for ground level landscaped areas and walkways (green & turquoise shaded areas)

 

The ABG Service

ABG modelled rainfall depths and storm duration data for the location, taken from the flood estimation handbook (FEH). The attenuation void capacity is calculated to match, typically (as in this design) for a one in a hundred year storm event plus an additional 30% allowance for the effects of climate change.

Contact ABG today to discuss your blue roof or green roof project specific requirements and discover how ABG past experience and innovative products can help on your project.

Additional information