The Cardiff Interchange, a new multi-purpose development, has become the first building in the UK to achieve BRE’s new Home Quality Mark ONE (HQM ONE) certification at design stage
HQM ONE is BRE’s new benchmarking standard for sustainability and quality and it is set to play a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of homes.
The Cardiff Interchange, owned by Legal & General, is not only the first project anywhere in the world to be certified under HQM ONE at design stage but is also the first development in Wales to gain any HQM certification.
Located in Central Square, the new 500,000 sq ft development is set to include a 14-bay bus station and a 12-storey office space alongside the 318 HQM-certified buy-to-rent apartments.
Building on BRE’s HQM Beta, HQM ONE places an increased focus on improving a building’s quality, design and energy efficiency.
The HQM ONE assessment is a two-stage process. The initial design stage, which the Cardiff Interchange has passed, makes sure that opportunities to improve the performance of the homes are identified before construction. This could include improvements to energy and water efficiency, better integration with local transport options or tackling indoor air pollution.
The second stage, which is when the final certification is granted, assures whether those opportunities have been put into practice during construction.
‘Making buildings fit for the future’
Gillian Charlesworth, chief executive of BRE Group said: “Making buildings fit for the future is central to the work we do at BRE and it is fantastic that an exciting new project like the Cardiff Interchange, which will provide homes for hundreds of people, has become the first building to achieve an HQM ONE certification at the design stage.
“At BRE, we are doing everything we can to support the government’s goal of achieving net-zero and we believe that the roll-out of HQM ONE can play a significant part in this, while ensuring that new homes are meeting high standards of quality and comfort for occupants.”
Dan Batterton, senior fund manager build to rent fund, LGIM Real Assets, added: “We are delighted to have received an HQM One certification for the Cardiff Interchange Build to Rent scheme – it is testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved to ensure our net-zero commitments are met.
“Forming an integral part of Legal & General’s wider £450m regeneration scheme in Cardiff city centre, our stand-out build to rent scheme has been brought forward as a collaborative effort with government stakeholders and Cardiff-based developer Rightacres.
“The scheme will be key in positioning the city as one of the UK’s leading places to live, work and invest.
“As an investor, house builder and long term owner, Legal & General is taking action to play its part in addressing the challenge of reducing emissions from the built environment.”
