Botanic Place achieves a BREEAM Outstanding design-stage score 03.02.26

Botanic Place has attained an unprecedented 100.54% credits at design stage under the BRE’s BREEAM system of certification for sustainable buildings.

The score is capped at 100%, officially making Botanic Place the highest-scoring BREEAM office project in the world to date and the first-ever to achieve a perfect 100% score, surpassing previous record-holders.

Developed for Railpen, Botanic Place comprises two new office buildings: 1 Botanic Place (175,000 sqft) and 2 Botanic Place (150,000 sqft), the retained landmark Botanic House and the refurbished Flying Pig public house, all set within new public spaces and extensive landscaped gardens in the heart of Cambridge. Railpen’s ambition is to create global-standard headquarters offices for companies predominantly in the AI, tech, and innovation sectors seeking a significant presence in the UK’s Golden Triangle.

The record-breaking score was made possible through a suite of pioneering environmental features integrated via intelligent design. Each represents market-leading thinking and innovation by Railpen and the design team: architect Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, sustainability and MEP consultants Hoare Lea, contractor Skanska, construction consultants Real PM and led by Socius. Many of the innovations also respond to specific local contextual factors, such as the well-documented pressures on water supply in Cambridge.

Examples of innovation used include:

- Night purge ventilation mode, using “free cooling” at night to reduce the energy demand for cooling by approximately 70%.

- The latest generation of reversible air source heat pumps, enabling the transfer of heat rather than energy-intensive heat generation.

- Advanced façade design that responds to the changing sun angles to minimise solar heat gain whilst ensuring optimum levels of natural light for occupiers.

- Intelligent building systems that optimise lighting, cooling and ventilation where they are needed.

- Grey water recycling and rainwater harvesting, where the water can then be used to flush toilets to minimise water consumption.

- Cycle Heart Rated Platinum End of Journey facilities reflecting both the quantity and quality of cycle parking, showers and changing facilities to encourage active travel.

- Materials passports to ensure all building materials are responsibly sourced and to reliably track embodied carbon.

Maria Averkina, Senior Asset and Development Manager at Railpen, commented: “Achieving the first 100% BREEAM score for an office development at design stage in the UK is a testament to Railpen's commitment to understanding not only what occupiers want and need but as importantly, what the surrounding context requires. Botanic Place is a global blueprint for the future of the office, and one that also makes a significant positive contribution environmentally and socially to Cambridge." 

"By using intelligent design to push the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable development, we are providing our future occupiers with a space that prioritises environmental integrity and human wellbeing, supporting productivity and talent retention. The recognition and shared commitment among our professional team and development manager, Socius."

Thomas Gardner, Executive Director at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, said: “Botanic Place is a true 21st century project working for Cambridge, with a global perspective and long-term outlook as evidenced by this great design stage score. The design has been driven from the start by low-carbon principles and environmental performance within both the urban and natural context. As such we are delighted at this result and look forward to the buildings becoming integrated pieces of this unique city.”

Botanic Place is currently on site and is due for completion in Q1 2028.