The Lexicon, Bracknell

On 7th September 2017, BSRIA celebrated the opening of The Lexicon in Bracknell, one of the biggest town centre regeneration projects in the UK.

In addition to 70 new shops and restaurants, the project encompasses improvements to the existing High Street buildings and the restoration and extension of local landmark, The Bull; illustrating how innovative construction can modernise a listed building while protecting its heritage. With a new 1,300 space multi-storey car park, provided by Bracknell Forest Council, and improvements to local highways, The Lexicon is set to become one of Berkshire’s most convenient and vibrant shopping and leisure destinations.

BSRIA was involved in the airtightness testing of a number of the buildings associated with The Lexicon, these include: the Cineworld cinema; M&S, Next and other key buildings and units within the new scheme.

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 Building Regulations for new buildings since 2006, and these 'big name' retailers will be able to achieve much-needed financial savings in the cost of their energy bills.

Julia Evans, Chief Executive, BSRIA said:

“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 – if you build it – they will come. 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+ 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.”

The Bracknell Regeneration Partnership is a joint venture between Legal & General Capital and Schroder UK Real Estate Fund. Together with Bracknell Forest Council, the Partnership is investing over £240 million to transform Bracknell town centre into the exciting one million square foot shopping and leisure destination.

For more information, see The Lexicon website.

This article was originally published here in September 2017 by BSRIA.

--BSRIA

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• BSRIA articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
• Air tightness in buildings.
• Airtightness of energy efficient buildings.
• Airtightness testing.
• Energy Performance Certificates.
• The history of non-domestic air tightness testing.