MDC² Park Gliwice Achieves BREEAM Outstanding Certification

MDC² Park Gliwice has received confirmation of the highest possible rating – Outstanding – in the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certification. It is one of the most recognised methods of assessing buildings for their environmental impact. It assesses, amongst other things, energy efficiency, water management and indoor environmental quality.

The development comprises three buildings with a total area exceeding 57,000 m² on a 13.4-hectare site. The project was commissioned in Q4 2023. Companies such as: Rohlig SUUS – one of the fastest growing, market-leading logistics operators in Poland and AFL – a global market leader in information technology, have leased space in the development.

“Our common goal was to create a space that not only meets the needs of tenants, but also contributes to protecting the environment. The fact that we have achieved this is the result of the hard work of the entire team and proof that responsible investments can benefit both people and nature,” says Anna Szelc, Director, Investments, Invesco Real Estate.

MDC² Park Gliwice exemplifies a successful investment in a revitalized post-industrial urban area. It was built on a former railway site that served as a prefabricated house factory. The project involved site remediation and preparation to make it suitable for the new development.

MDC²‘s ESG strategy, which underpins the company’s development, is guided by the motto Building for Good, according to which it builds warehouse parks for a sustainable future for tenants, investors, local communities, the environment, and the industry as a whole.

“Achieving the highest BREEAM rating is a huge success for us. This proves that our sustainability efforts are producing a tangible effect. Thanks to the use of state-of-the-art technologies and sustainable construction practices, MDC² Park Gliwice remains at the forefront of this type of speculative development, setting the best example for the entire warehouse market in Poland,” – says Katarzyna Dudzik, Development Director, MDC².

In terms of the operation of the building, the MDC2 provides comprehensive, energy-efficient solutions to ensure tenant comfort, service efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of the development. A life cycle analysis (LCA) of materials was used to assess the environmental impact of the investment and products with EPD environmental declarations were used.

Thanks to the thermal insulation of the walls, the building minimizes heat loss, resulting in lower heating and cooling costs (62% reduction in final energy consumption compared to reference buildings). The use of passive technologies has resulted in an additional reduction in primary energy demand of 40% on average. Water-saving solutions, including aerators, electro-valves, and leak detection systems, have reduced water consumption by over 66% compared to standard models. Regular monitoring of energy consumption, water consumption and CO₂ emissions was carried out at each stage of construction. A minimum of 80% of the office space has access to daylight. A construction waste recycling rate of at least 97% was achieved. FSC and PEFC-certified timber was used in the construction of the building. Rexbud, the general contractor, with ISO 14001 environmental management certification, was responsible for the project.

MDC2 believes in environmentally friendly mobility, so it provides convenient bicycle shelters to encourage tenants to use bicycles as an alternative to cars. MDC² has thoughtfully designed the surroundings to promote biodiversity, positively contributing to the local ecosystem. The project includes the planting of 170 trees, 50 m² of shrubs, and 250 m² of a flower meadow with bird-friendly plants, along with dedicated habitats for insects. There are areas for relaxation and physical activity, and this promotes both a healthy lifestyle and social integration. In the interests of sustainability and in support of electric vehicle users, charging stations have been installed on the site.

With these solutions, MDC² not only raises the building’s operating standards but also significantly contributes to sustainability and environmental protection.

The JWA team is responsible for carrying out the certification process.

“We congratulate MDC² Park Gliwice for achieving the highest Outstanding rating in BREEAM certification. This unique award highlights excellence in logistics building design. MDC² Park Gliwice fulfils the key tenets of Poland’s sustainable warehouse development strategy for the evolution of the business,” – says Olga Więckowska, BREEAM NC International Assessor and Sustainability Expert, JWA.