Nottingham based technology company 121 Systems is the latest firm to move its business operations to the ultra green No.1 Nottingham Science Park, safeguarding ten jobs and creating three new job opportunities.
The company, which has an international client base including Office Depot, Iron Mountain and Dominoes Pizza, specialises in saving companies’ fuel bills by using cutting edge software to optimise routes and reduce mileage, lowering customers’ carbon footprints.
121 Systems has taken 1,771 sq ft of the award-winning building adjacent to the University of Nottingham, providing room to expand and better transport links than its previous location in central Nottingham.
No.1 Nottingham Science Park, completed by specialist regeneration developer Blueprint, is designed for innovative businesses, providing self-contained Grade A space with the benefits of clustering with other progressive businesses in the same building. It is part of Blueprint’s £50 million extension to the Nottingham Science Park off University Boulevard.
Chris Sisson, managing director of 121 Systems, said: “We were looking for a building that projected what we do in the logistics community, and No.1 Nottingham Science Park gives us that profile. We are proud to be an environmentally aware company, and mixing with similar minded businesses appealed to us greatly.
“The building also has a superior location. We have always been based in Nottingham as it is a central hub in the UK, but moving to the western edge of the city has made travelling to the offices easier and has improved our airport links, which is vital for our overseas clientele.”
John Long, Development Director at Blueprint, said: “We’re delighted to welcome 121 Systems. The reasons that they chose to come to No.1 Nottingham Science Park show that building high quality, environmentally sustainable developments does provide a competitive advantage.”
As well as its eye-catching, award winning design, No.1 Nottingham Science Park incorporates a range of sustainable features while the rest of Blueprint’s science park development includes design and build opportunities around an attractive, publically accessible boardwalk and wetland habitat.
Designed by award winning architects, London based Studio Egret West, No.1 Nottingham Science Park forms an important part of Nottingham’s Science City portfolio, providing space for technology companies to expand and create new jobs in the sector.
No.1 Nottingham Science Park drives forward design and environmental sustainability standards on UK business parks. Green features include a brown roof aiding insulation and encouraging biodiversity, a biomass heating system, natural ventilation aided at peak times by a water based adiabatic cooling system, use of sustainable materials, and optimisation of natural light. It is the only building of its kind in Nottingham to have achieved an A-Rated Energy performance Certificate.
The building will significantly reduce operational costs for occupiers and could, it is estimated, reduce carbon emissions by around 60% from the 1997 building regulations standards. The building has been designed with reference to funder Igloo’s Footprint® sustainable investment policy.
Partners in Blueprint’s Nottingham Science Park extension included emda, Nottingham City Council and Greater Nottingham Partnership, and the project was part financed by the European Regional Development Fund. The boardwalk was part financed by emda as public realm.
