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Scotland's first speculatively-built development to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent' rating was opened last Thursday by Glasgow's Lord Provost Bob Winter.  

The large, 31,000 sq foot, £4.5 million Venture building, developed by Speyroc, is one of the most sustainable commercial buildings with occupiers paying nothing for heating and air conditioning and exceptionally low electricity bills.  

With Glasgow holding the City of Science accolade for 2011, the Venture building will play an important role in developing the scientific and engineering capacity of Glasgow. 

At the opening on 25^th November the Lord Provost, who laid the first floor tile for the atrium, said: "This building sets a benchmark for sustainable building which we will see increasingly in new developments in the city. Glasgow's reputation as a leader in energy efficiency and sustainability is growing and will continue as we rebalance our economy towards science and engineering in the future."  

The Venture building, just off Maryhill Rd, comes with outstanding eco-credentials including an ‘A'-rated Energy Performance Certificate and its own 11 kilowatt Gaia wind turbine.  

Alexander Haig of Speyroc said: "Science and technology occupiers demand very high environmental standards today. As a result, the building has been designed to use natural ventilation rather than air conditioning for cooling. Our detailed modelling ensures that all of the CIBSE guidelines and criteria have been met. 

"We already have a good degree of interest from innovative scientific companies, who not only like the building but also its location in the Park. Many of these companies have outgrown existing premises, as the WOSSP continues to be a centre for scientific excellence. With the added benefit of very low bills, flexible office and laboratory space and a good mix of like-minded companies in the Park, we hope to see the Venture building in full use soon." 

Use restrictions at the park, which is owned by Glasgow University and managed by Scottish Enterprise, mean that occupiers have to be engaged in science or technology. Companies on the park cover a wide range of science and technologies, including: Clyde Space, which supplies small satellites and spacecraft systems; M Squared Lasers, which produces next-generation lasers for bio-medical, security and industrial uses; and the Glasgow Memory Clinic, specialists in research into Alzheimer's disease and dementia. 

Letting agent Neil Munro of Neil Munro Property said: "The Venture building's green credentials are attracting a lot of interest. With its own wind turbine, its BREEAM ‘excellent' rating and an ‘A'-rated Energy Performance Certificate, it ticks all of the right boxes. With the early onset of the Scottish winter this week, the opportunity of enjoying very low cost heating is proving attractive. The park itself offers a tranquil environment for R&D activities, and has its own links with cycle routes to and from the city centre." 

Companies at the park frequently collaborate with each other on joint projects, or with the nearby universities. Located on the north-west edge of Glasgow, the park is adjacent to Glasgow University's Veterinary School and the Beatson Institute's Cancer Research Centre, offering further opportunities for research and development partnerships. 

Joint letting agent Colin McManus of Colliers International said: "Speyroc's strength is that scientific tenants in their current buildings tend to move up into larger space as their businesses expand - and these tend to be very fast growth businesses. Speyroc also offers tenants a bespoke fit-out, an offer which most of their specialist occupiers are happy to accept. If required, Speyroc is happy to fold the fit-out costs into the monthly rent, so that the client doesn't have to pay a lump sum upfront."

For further information please visit www.venturebuilding.co.uk