Bord na Móna lodges planning application for new company headquarters in Newbridge town centre
Bord na Móna has committed its future to Newbridge, announcing that it has lodged a planning application with Kildare County Council for new company headquarters on the town’s main street. Bord na Móna has had a presence in the Newbridge for over 70 years and currently 240 people work at its offices in Newbridge.
The landmark building will be one of the most energy efficient headquarters in Ireland and will provide a new on-street presence for Bord na Móna in Newbridge, greatly enhancing the town’s main street. It has been designed to provide a modern, flexible workplace for employees, as the company continues to grow its operations.
In designing the new corporate headquarters, Bord na Móna undertook extensive consultation with existing employees and the result is a state-of-the-art building designed for and by employees. The progressive approach taken by Bord na Móna is evident in facilities for employees including an employee gym, a mothering room, a sensory room, a prayer/meditation space and gender-neutral toilets and showers.
Like many companies, during the pandemic Bord na Móna adopted flexible working and the new headquarters reflect this new approach. Multifunctional workspaces that are adaptable and flexible encourage collaboration and team working when employees are on site. The first to third floors will have light-filled breakout spaces that will overlook Main Street and internal planting throughout the building will contribute to a holistic approach to staff wellness.
Dublin based Plus Architecture, which won the competition to design the new building, also carefully considered the heritage of Bord na Móna and the company’s evolution to a climate solutions company. The new corporate headquarters will be built to the highest sustainable standards and will be a low energy building. To reduce the buildings carbon footprint, the building will be a timber structure with minimum usage of concrete and steel.
The headquarters will target the LEED Accreditation which is a globally recognised symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership. Some of the features will include:
• Onsite monitoring of construction waste and avoidance of landfill use
• Renewable energy generation using building integrated photovoltaic system
• Water efficient appliances to reduce potable water consumption
• High efficiency heating system that uses air to water heat pump technology
• Electric vehicle charging facilities will be available at the site.
Tom Donnellan, Chief Executive of Bord na Móna said, “As a climate solutions company we wanted our new headquarters in Newbridge to deliver the highest standards in energy efficiency, waste management and biodiversity. Our new headquarters is targeting a BER of A2 and will be a fossil fuel free building with renewable energy generation on site and a high efficiency heating system. Native Irish planting will be used in the external landscape to promote biodiversity in an urban setting and create vibrant spaces to be enjoyed by visitors.
The new building responds to future climate and environment requirements while providing our employees with a progressive, modern, energy efficient and agile workplace of which we can all be proud”.