Environmental,
Social and
Governance
The guiding mission of The Forum is to make a lasting contribution to the community with a positive impact on the environment.
Prioritising environmental and social value is the golden thread running throughout the whole development process, from conceptual design, planning, construction and post completion.
Prioritising environmental and social value is the golden thread running throughout the whole development process, from conceptual design, planning, construction and post completion.
Environment
Social
Governance
Environment
People lead environmental enhancement consequently the Forum is designed to be Net-Zero-Carbon in operation. Throughout the design process, we have planned for a sustainable future steered by and adaptable to the needs of its community.
Built to last
The Forum is a new quarter of the City of Gloucester built to comfortably last 150 – 200 years.
Many areas across the campus will be capable of being adapted to multiple future uses (for example, a car park becomes an office and offices become apartments within the same original building envelope).
Many areas across the campus will be capable of being adapted to multiple future uses (for example, a car park becomes an office and offices become apartments within the same original building envelope).
People led behavioural change
Access to the Forum is public transport focused and is immediately adjacent to the train station, bus station, cycling hub. The car park is 100% electric charge enabled, clad in green wall to improve air quality and intended to be converted to alternative uses as private car use demand reduces.
The office buildings combine low tech (manually operable windows) and high tech (sensor enabled technologies) encouraging reduced energy use through occupant engagement which supplements the buildings’ active and passive design.
These incentives, combined with educational devices such as public seating where adjacent lighting only comes on when benching is sat upon and a photo-voltaic powered LED digital screen will ensure the Forum’s environmental credentials are both manifest and engaging throughout the development.
The office buildings combine low tech (manually operable windows) and high tech (sensor enabled technologies) encouraging reduced energy use through occupant engagement which supplements the buildings’ active and passive design.
These incentives, combined with educational devices such as public seating where adjacent lighting only comes on when benching is sat upon and a photo-voltaic powered LED digital screen will ensure the Forum’s environmental credentials are both manifest and engaging throughout the development.
BREEAM
The Forum will boast an BREEAM Rating of excellent and be Net-Zero-Carbon in operation. The development is also committed to sourcing 100% renewable electric energy sources for all buildings.
Working with other institutional operators (such as the Cathedral and University) we are targeting acquiring a locally generated renewable energy supply.
Working with other institutional operators (such as the Cathedral and University) we are targeting acquiring a locally generated renewable energy supply.
Future proofing
The new car park is 100% future enabled for all spaces to have electric charging. At opening 10% of bays will have charging points to reflect initial demand which will be increased as the proportion of electric vehicles on the roads increases.
The naturally ventilated office and car park will reduce cooling and energy demand. There will be smart building technology to limit energy use in the buildings which is capable of learning end user behaviours and adjusting energy provision throughout the day and season to suit.
The naturally ventilated office and car park will reduce cooling and energy demand. There will be smart building technology to limit energy use in the buildings which is capable of learning end user behaviours and adjusting energy provision throughout the day and season to suit.
Decentralised plant throughout
Air Source Heat Pumps and a decentralised HVAC system will allow independent control by each tenant of the buildings and mitigate wasted energy in spaces that are unoccupied.
Living Buildings
Providing in excess of 8,500 sqft of evergreen foliage we are proud that the Forum will have the largest green wall in the South West.
There will be brown roofs throughout the development improving thermal mass, which in turn will reduce energy loss and encourage native biodiversity.
Additionally, blue roofs and rainwater gardens which form a comprehensive SUD’s strategy will mitigate the impact on mains drainage and enhance ecology. The build will be made of exposed mass concrete structures that are designed to reduce cooling demand through thermal exchange. As well as this, we will install 260 roof mounted photovoltaic cells connected directly to the hotel and office reducing demand for off-site energy.
There will be brown roofs throughout the development improving thermal mass, which in turn will reduce energy loss and encourage native biodiversity.
Additionally, blue roofs and rainwater gardens which form a comprehensive SUD’s strategy will mitigate the impact on mains drainage and enhance ecology. The build will be made of exposed mass concrete structures that are designed to reduce cooling demand through thermal exchange. As well as this, we will install 260 roof mounted photovoltaic cells connected directly to the hotel and office reducing demand for off-site energy.
Low carbon fit-out
The base build aesthetic and operational design requires no ceilings, floor or wall finishes. This in turn reduces tenant fit out costs and embodied carbon.
The British Council for Offices estimates that the fit-out of an office floor represents c.4% of the embodied carbon of a new building. This figure can rapidly increase over a buildings lifecycle where a high turn-over of tenant leases is not uncommon.
This is especially important with continually shortening tenant leases leading to the possibility of 10 – 20 fit-outs on every floor over the lifecycle of the building.
The British Council for Offices estimates that the fit-out of an office floor represents c.4% of the embodied carbon of a new building. This figure can rapidly increase over a buildings lifecycle where a high turn-over of tenant leases is not uncommon.
This is especially important with continually shortening tenant leases leading to the possibility of 10 – 20 fit-outs on every floor over the lifecycle of the building.
Urban Greening
16 new trees and extensive low level planting – Improving local air quality and creating an on-site carbon sink this pedestrian only area provides a much needed sanctuary at the entrance to the city.
Social
Governance
The Forum is a new quarter of the City of Gloucester built to comfortably last 150 – 200 years.
Many areas across the campus will be capable of being adapted to multiple future uses (for example, a car park becomes an office and offices become apartments within the same original building envelope).
Many areas across the campus will be capable of being adapted to multiple future uses (for example, a car park becomes an office and offices become apartments within the same original building envelope).
Governance
Community is at the heart of our plan. The campus will be managed by an agile team ensuring users are supported in their daily social, business and sustainability objectives. We are building the right infrastructure to develop flourishing relationships, including 2 acres of public realm and an app for residence and tenants.
Community
The Forum will be a community in its own right, where businesses, organisations, homeowners, visitors and individuals will each have a clear means of influencing their environment and know what is on offer through the creation of a “Forum Family”.
This family will be open to and thrive on the ideas of everyone who has a vested interest in making the Forum a great place to live and work.
This family will be open to and thrive on the ideas of everyone who has a vested interest in making the Forum a great place to live and work.
More than just buildings
Each building will be designed to foster a culture of communication. The layouts and floor plans will be responsive to their users allowing for both digital collaboration and communication as well as real time meet and greets.
Technology
Smart passes for visitors and staff via their phone provide for a seamless welcome to the Forum which will ensure business isn’t disturbed during the working day.
We know that connectivity is important, therefore 5G network capabilities and shared cloud storage will be accessible to all. This technology will ensure that businesses are stimulated to thrive without interruptions.
We know that connectivity is important, therefore 5G network capabilities and shared cloud storage will be accessible to all. This technology will ensure that businesses are stimulated to thrive without interruptions.
Forum App
A Forum App will be created to provide a platform for the community. The app will provide smart technology control over building environments so occupiers can customise their experiences.
Cross fertilisation of business opportunities will be encouraged and facilitated through this shared platform, plus users of the Forum will be able to take advantage of special deals in the shopping centre/hotel and gym.
Cross fertilisation of business opportunities will be encouraged and facilitated through this shared platform, plus users of the Forum will be able to take advantage of special deals in the shopping centre/hotel and gym.
Positive environment
The shared spaces will be kept clean and well cared for through the establishment of an estate management company. This will be kept to a consistent standard across all of the development because all of the land is under one ownership.
Environment
Social
The Forum will be a community in its own right, where businesses, organisations, homeowners, visitors and individuals will each have a clear means of influencing their environment and know what is on offer through the creation of a “Forum Family”.
This family will be open to and thrive on the ideas of everyone who has a vested interest in making the Forum a great place to live and work.
This family will be open to and thrive on the ideas of everyone who has a vested interest in making the Forum a great place to live and work.
Join the new reality
Office Letting
Ian Wills
Dorian Wragg
Social
Talent
This new hub will increase the quality and size of the local workforce and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from the new jobs. This aim will be put in place from the start of the construction process and will be maintained as a legacy, showcasing the job opportunities that new businesses will bring to the area.
Employees will be attracted to working in the Forum due to the unique campus style feel, which offers vibrancy and the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, all from a location that is 5 minutes away from some of this country’s best natural environments.
Employment
Hub employees will have a responsibility to raise the profile of the job opportunities within the city’s communities and outreach programmes will be created to help job seekers realise their potential.
Distinctly Gloucester
Catalyst for change
Kings Square, the University City Campus, the Cultural Hub in Kings House and the Forum are creating the opportunities for business/education/creativity and culture to mingle and spark off one another.
Virtual Skills
This will join up all of the education providers in the city and across the county providing a direct link between Forum businesses and future employees.
Wellbeing
The Forum will also boast a newly refurbished square and over 2 acres of public realm.This will set the stage for the lives of those living and working in the Forum and indeed the wider city.
Carefully curated the Square will provide the heart of a new community and the focal point for the serendipitous meet ups that we hope will naturally start to happen. It will be a place to dwell, reconnect with old friends and meet new ones.
Creativity
Combined with the opportunity to showcase talent on the largest media screen in the country the Forum will be able to stamp the personality of the businesses it houses on the wider city.
WiredScore Platinum
Environment
Governance
This new hub will increase the quality and size of the local workforce and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from the new jobs. This aim will be put in place from the start of the construction process and will be maintained as a legacy, showcasing the job opportunities that new businesses will bring to the area.
Employees will be attracted to working in the Forum due to the unique campus style feel, which offers vibrancy and the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, all from a location that is 5 minutes away from some of this country’s best natural environments.