News

​Oscar Innovation Centre awarded Green Plaque accreditation

We are extremely proud of our role in bringing Oscar Acoustics’ new headquarters to life. This project represents a milestone in sustainable construction, culminating in the award of the prestigious ‘Green Plaque’ status by independent assessor Lifecycle Design. This third-party recognition underscores the entire team's commitment to delivering buildings that meet the highest environmental and sustainability standards in the UK.

Located in Halling, Kent, the new headquarters revitalises a derelict site that once housed an industrial cement works, transforming it into a modern, eco-friendly facility. Spanning 16,200 square feet across two buildings, the site provides a high-quality working environment for staff and incorporates storage and warehousing in six light industrial business units.

The open-plan office space, featuring meeting rooms, a staff lounge, and a kitchen, has been carefully designed to create a contemporary and comfortable environment. The building also serves as a showroom, allowing potential clients to experience the company’s architectural acoustic products in a real-world setting.

From design to construction, the project set new standards in innovation. We employed ‘fabric first’ principles, utilising eco-friendly materials and sustainable building methods wherever possible. Notably this included the installation of nearly 80 photovoltaic panels, enabling the facility to operate entirely on renewable energy.

The result is a state-of-the-art office building that achieved an A+ Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, placing it at the time of completion in the top 0.35% of energy-efficient buildings in England at the time of testing, and certified as a ‘Net Zero emissions’ project by independent assessors - a result that reflects the innovative methods, materials and strategies implemented to meet the highest energy efficiency standards.

The Green Plaque award is a testament not only to Oscar Acoustics' vision but also to the rigorous and careful approach the client and project team adopted throughout the design and build process. Andrew Pook, Environmental Consultant from Green Plaque, praised the project, noting that it “ticks all the boxes” for sustainable development and serves as an industry-leading example of what can be accomplished when commitment, expertise, and a shared sustainability goal come together.

As Ben Hancock, Managing Director of Oscar Acoustics, aptly put it, “Our new A+ EPC-rated, Net Zero emissions HQ isn’t just a building; it’s a testament to our unwavering commitment to environmental excellence.” His words reflect our approach to construction, where we strive to exceed industry standards and create buildings that actively reduce their environmental footprint.

“Our involvement in constructing the Oscar Innovation Centre is a proud milestone in our own sustainability journey and we are delighted to have partnered with Oscar Acoustics on this groundbreaking project."

Read the complete Green Plaque report here