BDP - Offices Development - Manchester, Piccadilly Basin
Date: 14 Feb 2008
BDP has created Manchester's first office 'living roof' at its own new building currently being built in Piccadilly Basin with the aim of attracting black redstarts, one of the UK's rarest species of bird.
BDP's specialist Sustainability team was set the challenge of improving the ecological value of the new building. They came up with the innovative approach for making the limited flat roof area into the preferred urban habit for the black redstart.
The team consulted with Living Roofs on the ecology habitat mix. The roof uses recycled rubble and gravel taken from the building's own construction site which has been seeded with the redstarts' favoured vegetation.
The UK's entire breeding population of black redstarts is estimated at just 80 - 100 pairs, with most of the population concentrated in London. In Manchester records state that redstarts attempted to breed in the city between 1992 and 1997, and more recently they are reported to have bred in 2005 and 2006. It is thought that two or three pairs may still reside in the city; however, despite efforts to track them down, they are hardly ever spotted.
Helping to encourage Manchester's redstarts, BDP also has teamed up with the RSPB's Homes for Wildlife initiative. The RSPB will give BDP ongoing habitat advice to increase their chances of attracting the rare birds. BDP is also backing Manchester City Council's 100 Days campaign for a 'greener, cleaner city', which starts on February 14th, and is hoping that the example they are setting in encouraging urban wildlife will be followed by other businesses in Manchester to help create a more environmentally friendly urban infrastructure.
The entire BDP building has been designed to be as sustainable as possible. It is the first naturally ventilated office building in Manchester to receive a BREEAM Excellent rating.
BDP's Head of Sustainability, Trevor Butler, comments: "We have developed a method for developing living roofs that is cost effective and makes use of waste materials - whilst also helping to reduce flooding, aid cooling for top floors and provide a wildlife habitat for our cities"
Matthew Capper of the RSPB's Northern England Region, said: "We are delighted that BDP is backing our Homes for Wildlife campaign and applaud the way they are creating a roof-top habitat for black redstarts in Manchester. The living roof should provide ideal feeding habitats for redstarts, helping these rare and delightful birds to make a home in the city. Manchester has a growing reputation as a great place for urban birdlife and, thanks to this initiative, black redstarts could soon become a more familiar part of the city's wildlife scene."
Gary Wilde, architect director at BDP, said: "In designing our new office we wanted to create a building which was as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. During the planning we consulted with experts who have helped us develop the perfect habitat for the black redstarts. Now all we can do is wait to see if they want to make our building their new home."
BDP is hoping to install a live webcam on the living roof to monitor any visits from redstarts or other wildlife. The new building will officially open this summer when over 250 staff will relocate.
L-R: Stephen Redfern Manchester Business Director, BDP, and Gary Wilde, BDP Project Director on 'living' roof
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