BSRIA is celebrating the opening of The Lexicon in Bracknell, which has opened on Thursday September 7 2017.
The Lexicon represents one of the biggest town centre regeneration projects in the UK. In addition to 70 new shops and restaurants, the project also encompasses improvements to the existing high street buildings and the restoration and extension of local landmark, The Bull.
BSRIA was involved in the airtightness testing of a number of the buildings associated with The Lexicon, including the Cineworld cinema, Marks & Spencer, and Next.
Designing and constructing buildings to be more airtight helps reduce the energy that is wasted when heated or cooled air leaks to outside. Airtightness testing has been a requirement of the Building Regulations for new buildings since 2006.
As such, these big-name retailers will be able to achieve much needed financial savings in the cost of their energy bills.
Julia Evans, chief executive at BSRIA, commented: “We are delighted that BSRIA played its part in the construction and successful completion of this exciting and important regeneration project. It is certainly a historic moment for the town of Bracknell and the most significant scheme to have taken place since it was created as a satellite new town to London in 1949.
“The development will attract more employers to the town. More businesses based in Bracknell means more staff and their families will move to the borough and wider locale and will be able to enjoy the improved retail, leisure and entertainment facilities – namely beautifully-designed indoor and outdoor shopping areas.
“BSRIA has been headquartered in Bracknell since 1955 and this redevelopment will also offer its 200 plus staff somewhere new and exciting to work, rest and play.
“And, of course, the well-known domino-effect that a new town centre will lead to much needed new housing throughout the town is tremendous news for the construction industry at large. There has already been an influx of new homes in Bracknell in recent years. The Lexicon should galvanise this.”