Mar 2025 • £8 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Floors and doors: High-performance flooring and a self-opening glazed entrance door. Accommodation: New 522-bedroom accommodation development in Nottingham. Energy: Schneider Electric improves operational and energy efficiency. Decarbonising ageing estates How to achieve the sustainable and compliant changes necessary for universities to reduce carbon
Spend half your energy budget on things you need, rather than energy you don’t! irus improves the bottom line by ensuring energy isn’t used unnecessarily 0 200000 400000 600000 800000 1000000 PRE-irusinstallation kWh POST-irusinstallation TOTAL consumption 816064 kWh HEATING consumption 598892kWh TOTAL consumption 575420 kWh HEATING consumption 301910 kWh Heating consumption 50% Reduction in total consumption and heating consumption Total consumption 30% 0 300 600 900 1200 1500 PRE-irusinstallation Heating consumption per bed POST-irusinstallation 1464 kWh 738 kWh 50% reduction in heating consumption Proportion of energy used for heating as a percentage of total consumption PRE-irusinstallation POST-irusinstallation 52% 73% Owner/operator: Curlew Capital Management: Fresh Student Living Constructed: 2019 - 2021 Opened to residents: September 2021 Number of rooms: 407 Irus installation completed: April 2023 Number of controls/heaters: 493 Data period: (first 12 months) May 2023 - April 2024 Comparisons are based on data collected between 5 May 2023 and 4 May 2024 and the preceding year. When the difference in weather conditions is accounted for: Total consumption reduction 29% Heating consumption reduction 49.6% Cost saving: £68,920(@30p/kWh) ROI: 3 years The heating load halved saving £70K in 12 months at this student accommodation block. Scan to read the case study prefectcontrols.com Building Energy Management System
highereducationestates 3 Editor Andrew Pring Sales director Julian Walter Media sales manager Barnaby Goodman-Smith Production Nicola Cann Design Gemma England Managing director Toby Filby The publishers do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors and cannot accept responsibility for claims made by manufacturers and authors, nor do they accept any responsibility for any errors in the subject matter of this publication. Publishers Stable Publishing Limited, SBC House, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH, England. t. 020 8288 1080 f. 020 8288 1099 e. [email protected] leader and content University budget concerns affect us all Andrew Pring Editor [email protected] Decarbonising ageing university estates: balancing heritage with sustainability. Story page 13-14 Sad to hear that the University of Edinburgh is facing a £140m black hole, and that drastic retrenchment will be required. Contractors and architects will be waiting anxiously to see how the university’s financial malaise may affect its £1.5bn capital development programme. Along with so many major higher education establishments, Edinburgh has great ambitions to grow and update its estate. It wants to build a new £650m campus; it has a 20-year master plan for Europe's largest concentration of animal and agriculture science expertise; and it’s also planning an £800m collaboration with NHS Lothian, the City of Edinburgh Council, and Scottish Enterprise to bring together academic scientists, clinicians, and industry in a world-leading bioquarter. It may have a reported £3bn of assets, but question marks must hang over the fulfilment of these projects when the state of its finances seem so parlous. Edinburgh, of course, is not alone. Other universities are also struggling financially. Cardiff recently reported a £30m deficit, as has Dundee. Earlier this year the Guardian reported that one in four mainstream UK universities were making job cuts. It also noted that numerous universities including Kent, Essex, Sussex, Coventry, Roehampton, Middlesex, Leeds Trinity and West London have failed to file their 2023-24 accounts on time with the Office for Students (OfS), the higher education regulator for England. Edinburgh’s vice-chancellor Peter Mathieson has been quoted as attributing his university’s problems to “several coinciding factors that have brought about the circumstances our sector is now reckoning with, many of which I have warned of publicly and privately for a number of years in a bid to abate this situation. “These factors include years of income for teaching not rising in line with costs, steeply rising utilities prices, inflation, recent unexpected announcements on national insurance contributions, and rise in employment costs: these have all contributed to the fragility of the sector’s finances. Moreover, across the UK, we are facing a reduction in the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for international students.” It is undoubtedly true that the Government’s crackdown on overseas students bringing their families with them has hit applications. Interestingly, the British Council is suggesting that Donald Trump’s return to office may bring an unexpected boost to UK universities as fewer international students choose to study in the US, according to a British Council report. It notes that during Trump’s first term as president, between 2017 and 2021, the number of international enrolments in the US declined on an annual basis every year. In 2019-20, there were 50,000 fewer international students in the US than prior to Trump’s presidency. An up-tick in student numbers, of any magnitude, will clearly help the sector but there are still fundamental and underlying flaws in the way universities are funded. Another problem in the Education Secretary’s in-tray that may prove ‘too difficult’ to tackle, let alone solve, over the next four years. And another concern for all those looking to enhance the university sector’s built environment.
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highereducationestates 5 inside this issue March 2025 6 News Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed by the University of Leeds to undertake a series of works to improve its campus. 10 Design Solutions Dr Becky Hayward, Associate Director Analytics & Crowd Dynamics at Buro Happold, discusses how universities can better utilise their buildings and campuses. 13 Decarbonising ageing estates James Nelmes, Director at Bennetts Associates, explains how working with the architecture inherited from the past can achieve the sustainable and compliant changes necessary for universities to reduce carbon. 16 Retrofitting Retrofitting presents both opportunities and challenges for universities explains Pick Everard’s Kieran Dyer. 17 Floors and doors Belfast’s Nelson Place enhances student accommodation facilities with high-performance flooring; and the Grade II listed dining hall at Pembroke College, Oxford University has installed an elegant yet highly functional, self-opening glazed entrance door. 18 Flooring High-end flooring for Nottingham students in new 522-bedroom accommodation development. 20 Energy and storage Schneider Electric has expanded its relationship with the University of Nottingham as it looks to improve its operational and energy efficiency; and container conversion specialist S Jones Containers has provided Cardiff University with a secure battery testing and storage unit for its Formula Student team. “Universities are in a unique position when it comes to decarbonisation, being responsible for large, complex estates often in prime locations. This presents an opportunity to make a real and meaningful impact, as well as show innovation and leadership in this sphere.” p16
Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed by the University of Leeds to undertake a series of works to improve its campus. The capital works programme – procured through the Procure Partnership - will entail refurbishment of existing university spaces and entrances as well as reroofing and cladding works. Morgan Sindall will also create new informal student spaces and as well as upgrading teaching facilities. Work is set to start on site in the coming weeks and is expected to complete in late 2025. Throughout the build programme Morgan Sindall will deploy its Intelligent Solutions approach, which brings together digital and platform design capabilities with modern construction methods and innovative carbon reduction tools to create unique, sustainable, and inspiring places for its clients. As part of its delivery of the project, Morgan Sindall will deliver a social value plan that will ensure the project benefits the wider Leeds community. Ben Hall, Morgan Sindall’s area director for Yorkshire, said: “The University of Leeds is one of the most important institutions in our region and we’re delighted to be appointed to help futureproof and upgrade its campus estate, creating an environment that will continue to provide an outstanding student experience.” Other recent projects for Morgan Sindall in Leeds include the Leeds Mathematics School (LMaS), which provides a specialist Post-16, A Level curriculum, with an emphasis on Mathematics and Mathematical Sciences, which completed in 2023. The contractor is currently on site at Leeds City Academy, where it is expanding the campus with a two-storey teaching block extension and a new dining hall to accommodate the growing number of students. Major works programme for University of Leeds campus Construction work has completed on the new sports hall at Minsthorpe Community College in South Elmsall, West Yorkshire. The project, carried out by lead contractor Henry Boot Construction, has provided a brandnew facility which includes a 6,394 sqft main sports hall, two activity studios, changing rooms, toilets, storage facilities and office space. Work began in summer 2023 to replace the previous sports facilities alongside refurbishment works to several of the existing blocks within the college. The remaining works, including the installation of a multi-use games area (MUGA), will be completed in spring 2025. Social value and sustainability have been front-and-centre of the project for Henry Boot Construction. “The construction of a new sports hall will bring transformative benefits to both the college and the wider community,” commented Jack Kidder, Responsible Business Manager at Henry Boot. “Beyond enhancing the College’s facilities, it will provide a vibrant hub for physical activity, fostering health, wellbeing, and teamwork among students. For the local community, the sports hall also offers opportunities for engagement through events and recreational use – creating a shared space that strengthens community ties.” The Student Construction Council Partnership (SCCP) was a Minsthorpe student-led body at the heart of the project that guided its social value strategy. Involved throughout the project, the SCCP created designs for the hoardings, provided vital feedback on the appearance of the new internal spaces and became a communication link between the construction team and the staff and students within the College. New sports hall at Minsthorpe Community College 6 highereducationestates news
Midlands construction firm McPhillips has been appointed by Telford & Wrekin Council to deliver the transformation of its former offices into a state of-the-art new sixth form centre. The Telford-based contractor will completely renovate the former Addenbrooke House building for use by Telford College as part of the wider £80m Station Quarter development in the heart of the town. The office renovation will allow the college to relocate all of its A-level provision into one central site improving accessibility for young people from all parts of the town and encouraging more students to stay studying in the borough. Paul Inions, managing director of McPhillips, said: “Our roots in this borough run deep, with more than 80 per cent of our team living within 20 miles of our Telford base. It will be local people involved directly in delivering this fantastic project - the very same people who have no doubt benefited themselves from the already excellent training and skills offered through Telford College in the form of apprenticeships and construction skills training. I know they will be proud to give something back.” "We know we are unusual in the construction industry because we directly employ most of our workers, which is all part of helping to support our local economy. We will also be looking to recruit new apprentices this year.” McPhillips to transform offices into Telford College sixth-form centre Stop lecturing and start listening – that’s the key to successful retrofit of higher education estates, says James Beckly, senior partner at the construction consultancy Ward Williams. Calling for a more inclusive approach to building projects, Beckly told Higher Education Estates: “By engaging academics, staff, students and all other building users from day one in a collaborative and meaningful way, we can create more successful spaces that meet both functional needs and longerterm aspirations.” He added: “Poorly designed spaces make education miserable, inhibiting creativity, collaboration and learning potential. In many higher education building projects, my concern is that we might be missing the whole point of successful retrofit. In our role as project leaders and advisers, maybe too often we become the lecturers and not the students, the talkers and not the listeners.” To tackle this risk, Beckly says built environment specialists must engage academics, staff, students and all other building users from day one in a collaborative and meaningful way. “Each person has an individual understanding of their experience using a building. When a retrofit project is undertaken, these ideas and learning points risk being overlooked or ignored. This oversight dictates what spaces the students and lecturers are forced to use, without their opinions and ideas being consulted.” Beckly is urging the construction industry to encourage better stakeholder collaboration throughout the retrofit process. He points to an unusual approach adopted by the practice in its work with colleges and universities. “One way we have successfully supported this process is by carrying out a LEGO® play session. Students and staff are asked to create a model that represents their current experience in the building and then another one that showcases the ideal situation after the retrofit process. “This is where new and imaginative technical solutions are found. Cost savings are identified. More sustainable options are revealed. By fostering collaboration in this way between the designers, construction team and the people who will use educational buildings, we can create much better spaces that are fit for our current requirements and also meet the needs of our future generations.” Better collaboration means better retrofit, says Ward Williams highereducationestates 7 news
Join us at The Belfry for the latest higher education insights Stable Events’ HE estates forum is approaching fast – so do put the 8th and 9th of May in your diary and get in touch as soon as possible to book your place at this popular must-attend gathering. We’re staging the HE estates forum at one of our favourite regular venues, The Belfry Hotel & Resort, home of the iconic golf course, set in beautifully scenic countryside. There we’ll be discussing all the latest industry higher education issues and facilitating meetings between like-minded professionals who can help each other do business more smoothly and efficiently. The speaker sessions are designed to explore current sector trends and challenges while sharing knowledge and sparking conversations on the future of construction within higher education circles. The theme at this year’s HE estates forum is: Creating campuses that inspire learning. Topics to be discussed include: • Designing multi-functional spaces • Elevating student living • Collaboration with the community • Enhancing campus culture • Prioritising student mental health In addition, we’re always keen to offer the broadest range of views and topics, so if you’re interested in being one of our speakers in May, please do get in touch with Georgie Smith, Delegate Relations Manager (contact details below) to discuss the opportunity to address your fellow built environment professionals. As well as engaging with presenters in a relaxed setting, delegates at the HE estates forum can network extensively with their peers. Attending will be education estates and facilities professionals in the colleges and universities sectors, architects, consultants, contractors, project managers and M&E specialists plus a wide range of key suppliers from across the education spectrum. Held over one and half days in this fabulous setting, the schedule of seminars and one-on-one business meetings is complemented by an extensive social programme including an informal gala dinner on the 8th. What’s included: As a complimentary project delegate your place includes extensive networking with peers and potential business partners, 1-1 meetings with innovative suppliers of your choice and hearing from expert speakers during our seminar sessions. Additionally, we provide 1-2 nights’ accommodation, all your meals and refreshments, exclusive project delegate drinks reception and a delicious three-course meal and entertainment at our gala dinner. Golf: A hole-in-one networking event! For the golfers in our community the day before the event (May 7th) we are also hosting a networking golf day and offering you the opportunity to play a round of golf on the prestigious PGA course. Contact Details Project Delegates and Speakers: Contact Georgie, on [email protected] Suppliers: Contact Julian on [email protected] Alternatively, you can call 0208 288 1080. 8 highereducationestates HE estates forum
Trends transforming campuses in 2025 This year promises exciting changes in higher education that will benefit students and faculty alike, writes Jaimie Levesque Steel, Market Strategist, Education at Arcadis Higher education institutions are reimagining and resizing spaces to support hybrid learning, foster community engagement, and explore alternative revenue streams through dining, retail, and entertainment. Campuses are expected to evolve rapidly, adapting to new learning needs with a focus on flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability. Higher education is undergoing intense transformation, with colleges and universities striving to "right-size" their campuses, and they are turning to architects and designers for solutions. Flexibility is crucial for students and staff, with classrooms doubling as study areas, community hubs, or event spaces during off-hours to sustain vibrant learning environments. Lounge-style seating and wellness areas integrated throughout classrooms can also attract students when classes are not in session. These adaptable spaces foster engagement and keep campuses active year-round. The trend of separating departments from fixed buildings is also on the rise, leading to a more adaptable built environment. This concept includes hybrid buildings that host a mix of spaces—classrooms, labs, lecture halls, studios, workshops, and collaborative areas—designed to be used in different ways each semester. Using modern design techniques like generative design and parametric modelling helps in planning these spaces flexibly and iteratively, ensuring they meet evolving needs, activities, movement patterns, and user interactions. We are seeing another shift in flexible environments with the integration of entertainment and retail, transforming campuses into community destinations and reimagining and revitalizing underutilized buildings and areas. Some of today’s campus master plans reimagine campuses as dynamic, culturally distinct small towns. For example, students can wake up in their dorms, walk to a fully equipped gym, and grab breakfast at the local coffee shop. Later, they can welcome parents or friends from out of town, settle them into a university hotel room, and enjoy dinner or the theatre together—all without leaving campus. These amenities also provide valuable services for visitors from the surrounding areas. As facilities age and environmental standards rise, the demand for safer, more efficient, and purpose-driven building upgrades or replacements will intensify. Many campuses over 50 years old were built before technology began advancing at its current rapid pace. Today, architects recognize the value of designing adaptable spaces that can be easily updated or repurposed as technology evolves. At the same time, the focus on healthy learning environments has led to the integration of sustainable technology with features like improved air quality, seamless connections between outdoor and indoor spaces, abundant natural light, and activated areas that encourage student collaboration and connection. In higher education, the need for agile, dynamic spaces that support 21st-century learning is driving institutions to reimagine their campuses. These transformations aim to attract students back on-site, sustain vibrant learning communities, and preserve the value of built assets. Large lecture theatres, once common on older campuses, are giving way to more fluid, agile, and personalized learning environments. While traditional classrooms still serve a purpose, hybrid spaces now cater to students who prefer a mix of online and in-person learning. Another trend we can expect to see in 2025 is higher education institutions maintaining a strong focus on environmental responsibility, especially in energy use and factors impacting operational costs. While this emphasis may not significantly affect material selection, it will play a crucial role in shaping energy and mechanical strategies. As universities continue to prioritize flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability, we can expect campuses to evolve in ways that foster innovation, community engagement, and resilience. The future of college campuses looks not only promising but also full of new possibilities. www.arcadis.com highereducationestates 9 trends
Data, power and plants – delivering the new priorities for universities of the future Dr Becky Hayward, Associate Director Analytics & Crowd Dynamics at Buro Happold, discusses how universities can better utilise their buildings and campuses The UK higher education sector remains one of the most impressive in the world. Some of our oldest and most prestigious institutions have been educating the next generation since at least the 16th century. Yet while these institutions have remained constant, the way they function for the benefit of their lifeblood of students and professors is constantly evolving. Delivering on the needs of students, which for many universities have rapidly increased in number in the last decades, and the teaching and support staff that serve them, is essential to providing the best possible working environment for all. Every university has different priorities, and every building is different. Yet, there are there are some universal lessons for universities in the UK and further afield to consider, which start with understanding how buildings across campuses and university estates are actually being used. Gathering usage data allows you to understand where there might be underused space and potential gains to be made in terms of usage or efficiency. Increasingly, universities are doing this by installing sensors in their buildings. Buro Happold worked with Occuspace to conduct research by gathering space utilisation data from 140 spaces at 38 universities across the US and Canada. One of key findings from this research was that print collections don’t drive contemporary library usage. Analysis found a very weak correlation between the number of print volumes held and the utilisation of library space, as measured by the daily occupancy peak. As library leaders plan for the future and think about how many seats they need, this finding can inform – and indeed encourage – a shift from stack space to study space. In the UK this is certainly an applicable lesson. In engagement with universities, students are increasingly expressing that their most essential requirements for study spaces are data (a strong WiFi signal) and power (access to a charging station). Physical books are no longer an absolute requirement, as most study activities can be completed digitally. Another often overlooked opportunity is the simple addition of data and power to smaller sitting areas or social spaces - transforming dead spaces into popular study spots. Analysis also showed that administrative and academic office spaces typically make up the largest non-residential space on a campus. Yet, typical office usage is between 20-50%, whereas a typical classroom might be in use 50-75% of the time (though not at its full capacity). Exacerbated by a growing number of university staff working from home postcovid, office spaces are one of the most underutilised spaces within university campuses. Moving away from the 10 highereducationestates design solutions
traditional single cell office can unlock huge amounts of space that currently goes unused for large portions of the day. Manchester Metropolitan University has put this into practice in a recent project to repurpose space within its Business School to create a “smarter working hub”. Instead of retaining cellular offices, they transformed the space to include collaborative workspaces for teaching staff and PhD students, with dedicated space for UG student/staff interactions. The feedback from staff and students was positive, and the new study spaces became particularly popular with those who valued a more collaborative environment in which they could interact with colleagues and students more readily to support teaching and research outputs, while providing a great place to work. Another subtle but important shift across universities in the UK is the desire for a greater variety of study and informal spaces, with students prioritising areas that have the right aesthetic. They want spaces that fit the ‘vibe’ or mood. On some occasions this could be a corporate look and feel, but at other times they desire a more relaxed collaborative social space. For universities this means having a diverse range of high-quality spaces that can attract different students at different times. A common request across areas of all types is more plants! Perhaps not surprising as access to green spaces and nature is known to have a positive impact on wellbeing. And it’s not just students, staff are making similar requests for more diverse spaces. One university we worked with in the UK took this feedback on board and recently converted a rather tired old restaurant space, which was not well utilised, into a flexible meeting and social space for staff. The design of the converted space was informed by user workshops to understand needs and requirements. It includes a mix of bookable and drop-in seats, and a range of furniture types for different activities, including comfy booths with screens and open tables. The aim of the space is to increase collaboration and sharing of ideas between departments, and the early usage data indicates its very popular with staff. Many universities are already starting to gather and use this data to their advantage to drive decisions instead of relying on anecdotal evidence or patchy data. My message for those that aren’t is to start this journey now and begin to build the business case to start investing in the technology. This is the first step before any improvements can be made. www.burohappold.com highereducationestates 11 design solutions
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Decarbonising ageing university estates: balancing heritage with sustainability To keep up with demand and the high standards expected by students today, universities must ensure they are prepared to upgrade facilities. This includes incorporating rapidly advancing technology into buildings to ensure future-ready teaching spaces, and in the case of ageing and older heritage estates to simultaneously improve them from an efficiency and sustainability viewpoint. The retrofit route brings manifold benefits, including improved user experience and long-term savings, and can be more viable in terms of sustainability and cost than starting from scratch. It is true that many existing university estates are made up of old and in some instances heritage buildings. Attention is shifting increasingly to how to bring them up to current sustainability standards. Research suggests that emissions from the tertiary education sector total approximately 18 MtCO2e, with buildings responsible for 19% of this figure. Between them, the UK’s higher and further education establishments manage more than 40 million sqm of building space (universities make up 90% of that), so the potential for transformation is great. Universities have also publicly declared climate ambitions, in many cases aiming to reach net zero years before the national target. Achieving this is a complex, time-consuming process that requires investment. Encouragingly, we are seeing that strategies are in place that reflect the large number and diversity of assets and align with capital plans. Carbon assessments are also becoming increasingly common in decision-making, specifically the trade-offs between upfront carbon, energy reductions and cost. When looking at the existing university estate it is important to analyse each building and identify the best way of decarbonising each. Steps must be taken to provide the most thorough and accurate analysis, which is where a robust methodology comes to the fore. Bennetts Associates, for example, has created a three-step approach. The first step is an estate-wide typology assessment of existing buildings, comprising risk identification and tailored solutions for Future-proofing the provision of higher education starts with preserving and updating the buildings where learning takes place. James Nelmes, Director at Bennetts Associates, explains how working with the architecture inherited from the past can achieve the sustainable and compliant changes necessary for universities to reduce carbon highereducationestates 13 decarbonising
each type, energy assessments, and considering if there’s scope for on-site renewable technologies. Second, a deep dive into the data showing where and how energy is being used, 3D building surveys and occupant surveys (a qualitative assessment of what works and what could be improved). The third step concerns the organisational context, establishing the key drivers for retrofit (student and staff surveys, utilisation patterns and future aspirations). Analysing spatial efficiency with a view to making the best use of available spaces is crucial to decrease the required footprint and associated emissions. Behavioural change has a positive impact on emissions and is relatively inexpensive. From a building services perspective, tackling existing systems (electrifying heating sources etc) and improving controls makes another large dent. Rebuilding facades and roofs comes last, as the embodied energy implications take longer to translate into paybacks on the operational side. In addition to a mantra of ‘do more with less’, we also need to build better. Architects are increasingly helping universities to decarbonise estates by identifying opportunities for material reuse, and the adoption of high-quality, low carbon and rapidly renewing biogenic materials, like timber, straw, earth and stone. How does this look in practice? Applying the above approach to a realworld example, the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI), is a prime lesson in how upgrading original elements of a 125year-old structure can be done to a Grade A listed former surgical building of Edinburgh’s Old Royal Infirmary, a city and cultural landmark. Maximising space and usability, the design basis is a sequence of large and multi-purpose rooms, which avoids empty or redundant space while bringing the requisite adaptability and flexibility that modern teaching demands. Six historically significant wings of Nightingale wards have been restored and connected by widened circulation routes and stairs that will become natural break-out spaces and informal meeting areas. The wards have been stripped of insensitive additions to recapture the former grandeur. New extensions between the wards are home to large teaching spaces which are equipped for hybrid learning. The public realm is transformed, and a new civically scaled plaza creates a fitting setting for the main entrance, while light boxes flood the marvellous new event space below. Throughout, the modern design contrasts and complements the existing building beautifully. Undertaking works on heritage sites has its challenges. In the case of EFI the building’s condition was poor, with extensive dry rot and structural instabilities. With the design approach based on reducing both embodied and operational carbon, multiple intricate interventions were required, including adding insulation to the walls, roof, and ground floor; rebuilding almost half of the timber floor structure, double-glazing windows; maximising natural ventilation and restricting mechanical ventilation. The whole complex is now connected to the University’s central plant network. There are tremendous opportunities, too. For instance, the infirmary was originally designed to support the needs of a Victorian medical facility, with ample provision of daylight, high ceilings and excellent natural ventilation, setting a strong foundation for sustainable retrofit. A Whole Life Carbon Assessment was commissioned for the EFI, with total upfront embodied carbon of 361 kgCO2 e/sqm, demonstrating that retention of the existing building, with substantial repairs, new extensions and careful material choices, can result in around half the embodied carbon of a typical new build. All this has been achieved at the same time as creating a globally leading multi-disciplinary academic institute in a uniquely characterful home. With heritage buildings it is important to balance sustainability with sensitive conservation. The two are not mutually exclusive and reusing old structures in smart ways has many benefits. www.bennettsassociates.com 14 highereducationestates decarbonising
Retrofitting presents both opportunities and challenges for higher education institutions, explains Kieran Dyer of Pick Everard Futureproofing estates Universities are in a unique position when it comes to decarbonisation, being responsible for large, complex estates often in prime locations. Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that the 133 providers which submitted data for 202122 released 1.4m tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This presents an opportunity to make a real and meaningful impact, as well as show innovation and leadership in this sphere. However, there are also many obstacles facing these estates that put universities at risk of not being able to fulfil their ambitions, including ageing or protected buildings and high operational costs. Preserving history is important to many university estates, particularly where Grade listed buildings are concerned. Working with clients on historic estates can present issues when looking at the practicalities of delivering retrofit to carbon net zero standards without ruining the fabric of the building. What is essential in these situations is to balance the maintenance plan with the implementation of an upgrade and retrofit plan. This must be done case-bycase, due to the varying typologies associated with different building ages. For example, a 1960s estate could be built with a concrete frame and then a brick skin, so there must be a strategy to work with that. And of course, for older buildings these strategies can become more complex. Looking at university location and size, it’s interesting to see the way campuses are almost like small towns, and how city-based universities must blend into their surroundings. The latter brings with it some challenges of its own when thinking about how to improve estates, particularly where there simply isn’t the space to consider new buildings. Instead, refurbishment and retrofit projects are the only option to upgrade current university stock or nearby buildings. A recent example is our Nottingham Trent University (NTU) project, to deliver its new multi-million-pound postgraduate centre. Predominantly to be used by students from Nottingham Business School (NBS), the venue features collaborative classrooms and social areas. The work involved the retrofit of the existing Belgrave Centre in Nottingham and involved architecture, interior design and landscaping services. Being located so closely to the university’s current location and also being an opportunity to upgrade an older building were key factors in the decision to progress. However, there is also a community focus here too with regards to any university estate, campus or city-based, that impacts its surrounding population. It’s why designs are increasingly more bespoke so that they can be ‘flexible’ for teaching, socialising, staff use and visitors. As well as becoming a more efficient space from an environmental perspective, the drive should also be towards becoming a more well-rounded establishment that fulfils multiple needs and can evolve over time to be truly sustainable. Perhaps the topmost priority when looking at university estates is the heightened cost pressures. And much more so than other single buildings, it is higher on the agenda to think about sustainability and lead the way on solutions such as retrofitting. The scale and pressure for estates teams to hit targets and remain on budget can be quite daunting, and these are not quick fixes or projects spanning a year or so. Many of these undertakings will span decades and it is important for estates teams to recognise this and what the investment will entail. The benefits, however, are great and as well as the obvious environmental and sustainability advantages, universities are often seen as leaders of innovation. Other industries can learn a great deal from what the higher education sector chooses to do, and more importantly, it can be a source of great inspiration for the younger generation. www.pickeverard.co.uk 16 highereducationestates retrofitting
The Grade II listed dining hall at Pembroke College, Oxford University has undergone a significant upgrade. Architects Walters & Cohen, in collaboration with Glasstec, has addressed the issue of draughts from the hall’s heavy timber doors by installing an elegant yet highly functional, self-opening glazed entrance door. This creative solution incorporates a TORMAX iMotion 1401 concealed door drive, providing invisible automation for the swing door. The result is a warm, draught-free environment that enhances thermal comfort and energy efficiency without compromising the hall’s historic charm. The new entrance door is a testament to the seamless integration of modern technology within a historic setting. The TORMAX iMotion 1401, located discreetly in a steel casing beneath the door, ensures that the aesthetic integrity of the Victorian stonework remains intact. "We are delighted with the successful installation of the new entrance door, which cleverly balances functionality and heritage conservation," said Vanessa Gouws, Operations Bursar of Pembroke College. "This intervention has helped improve the energy efficiency of the dining hall, the second biggest fuel consumer in Pembroke’s estate, not to mention helping keep diners and dinners warm." Designed in-house at the TORMAX headquarters in Switzerland, the iMotion range of automatic door operators incorporate a motor with none of the elements that generally wear out, such as gears and brushes. This ensures exceptional longevity and demands only minimal ongoing maintenance, making it entirely feasible to situate the drive in a concealed location. “In addition to the iMotion 1401 underfloor door drive, we offer the iMotion 1302.KI which is concealed within the door lintel,” comments Simon Roberts, MD for TORMAX UK. “Together, these options can deliver practical access solutions for almost any location where the traditional appearance of an entrance must be preserved.” www.tormax.co.uk The Nelson Place development, Belfast's largest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), has specified Gerflor flooring for its iconic new build, that services the growing needs of Ulster University and Student Roost. This 774-bedroom prestigious project includes high-quality accommodation, with ground floor amenities elevated to incorporate a mezzanine level. These spaces also support a state-of-the-art 4-court sports hall, gym, fitness suite, and training facilities. Central to the success of the project was the specification of 2,600 sqm of flooring products supplied by international interiors specialists, Gerflor. The flooring solutions included PowerShock 300 rubber tiles and GTI Max Technical Tiles for the gym areas, Tarasafe Impression slip resistant safety flooring in the main reception and walkway, Tarasafe Ultra and Tarasafe Ultra H²O slip resistant safety vinyl flooring for the changing rooms and WC’s, alongside their worldrenowned Olympic pedigree Taraflex® sports flooring for the main sports hall. The sports hall at Nelson Place featuring Gerflor’s Taraflex® sports indoor vinyl flooring, is known for its use in Olympic and other international and national sporting and leisure venues. It was selected for its shock absorption properties and high slip resistance performance. It was also specified because of its safety, comfort and performance for both the casual users and competitive athletes that utilise the facilities. Gerflor's PowerShock 300 rubber tile flooring, installed in the gym, delivers impact resistance and acoustic performance, making it suitable for heavyduty fitness environments. Complementing this was the GTI Max collection, used across the key training areas for its durability and resistance to wear in high-traffic locations. www.gerflor.co.uk Invisible door automation for Pembroke College Belfast’s Nelson Place enhances facilities with high-performance flooring highereducationestates 17 floors and doors
High-end flooring for Nottingham students When the need for new accommodation in Nottingham for students at Nottingham’s two universities became clear, Jensco Student Living created Ten Traffic Street, a purpose-built student apartment development comprising 522 bedrooms and studios arranged around landscaped courtyards. The development had to address durability, slip resistance, acoustic performance, comfort ergonomics, ease of maintenance, environmental impact, as well as aesthetics and cohesion. Also, Ten Traffic Street would feature a range of amenity facilities such as a cinema, gym, games room, library, communal study area, party room, and café – all areas requiring varying flooring types. In addition to fulfilling these requirements, the project aimed to create a vibrant and modern living environment that would not only enhance the student experience with a touch of luxury but also endure the test of time. Tarkett was chosen as the project’s flooring supplier. Having low-maintenance and inclusive flooring solutions was crucial. To meet the design team's requirements, Tarkett provided a diverse range of products for various spaces throughout the project. Additionally, with its new Tektanium PU coating, which creates an ultra-matt finish, Tarkett could offer exceptional resistance to scratches, abrasions, wear, and stains, while reflecting less light to achieve acceptable LRVs (Light Reflectance Values) for inclusive environments. Covering 3,600 sqm, Tarkett's flooring and sports solutions were used throughout Ten Traffic Street. In the living areas, the natural, textured appearance of Desso Grezzo 8927 carpet tiles complemented the cosy, inviting atmosphere that the overall design sought to achieve for the development. To create a seamless flow out into the corridors and circulation spaces, a complementary Desso Grezzo 9033 was installed, providing a durable and lowmaintenance solution for these high-traffic areas. These carpet tiles have unique patterns; no two tiles are the same. In the reception and communal areas of 'Block A' of Ten Traffic Street, the ecofriendly composition and natural fibre aesthetic of iD Inspiration Naturals LVT, in the design Fibra Geen, contributed to the sustainability goals and welcoming ambience of the shared spaces. The incorporation of Tarkett's flooring solutions has significantly transformed the living environment at Ten Traffic Street in Nottingham, resulting in a modern, comfortable, and visually appealing development. Through its collaboration with Tarkett, the project was able to easily obtain flooring for different spaces and purposes, streamlining the design and installation process. The selected flooring not only meets the high standards of student accommodation but also aligns with JENSCO Student Living's dedication to fostering a sustainable and inclusive community for its residents. Catherine Morris, Senior Interior Designer at CPMG Architects, which designed the accommodation, said: “This is a welcoming haven for our city’s students, offering a true home-away-fromhome experience. Incorporating pastel colours throughout Ten Traffic Street contributes significantly to the creation of a tranquil yet lively atmosphere. Soft hues such as pale blues, greens, and oranges infuse the spaces with a sense of calmness while still maintaining an element of playfulness. “The transition between zones, from cosy communal areas to secluded study spaces, ensures a well-rounded environment conducive to both relaxation and productivity. This balance fosters a sense of belonging for students, akin to a home-away-from-home, where they can unwind with friends in the communal area or focus on their studies in designated breakout areas. These communal spaces not only support individual growth but also encourage healthy social interactions, offering students the opportunity to organise social gatherings and forge lasting connections within their community.” www.tarkett.co.uk www.cpmg-architects.com 18 highereducationestates flooring
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University of Nottingham cuts energy waste Schneider Electric, among the leaders in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has expanded its relationship with the University of Nottingham as it looks to improve its operational and energy efficiency. Working with Schneider Electric, the top 20 UK university is adopting a digitalfirst, AI-powered approach to manage its buildings estate, the fifth largest in the UK’s higher education sector. Schneider Electric has deployed its state-of-the-art Connected Services Hub (CSH) to provide 24/7 remote monitoring of the electrical equipment installed onsite. The CSH uses AI-powered digital analytics to deliver real-time, comprehensive insights into estate operations, ensuring preventative or remedial action is acted upon quickly. It does this by directly integrating urgent actions into the onsite engineers’ work schedules. It also identifies energy conservation measures, producing regular reports that offer guidance to the university’s in-house estates team on how to optimise their time and resources more effectively. In addition, Schneider Electric also provides a team of experienced engineers onsite, delivering preventative and condition-based fault remediation, and support and training for the university’s estates team to boost their skills. “Our challenge is how to optimise our building systems to minimise energy consumption and improve operations given we have a very small team responsible for a large physical estate. Embracing digital technology is helping us work towards our goals. Leveraging AI for analysis is like having thousands of eyes scrutinising the estate, significantly boosting what my team and I can deliver,” said Gavin Scott, Head of Sustainability at University of Nottingham. www.se.com/ww/en Container conversion specialist S Jones Containers has provided Cardiff University’s School of Engineering with a bespoke, secure battery testing and storage unit for its award-winning Formula Student team, Cardiff Racing. The specialist container is used to safely store and charge batteries for Cardiff University’s Formula Student racing team, which is made up of students from across the engineering degree disciplines. Cardiff Racing competes every year in the Formula Student (FSUK) competition, which tasks teams to design, build and race a singleseater race car, and became the first British team to win FSUK in 2017. The team is making the leap to electric racing cars making battery safety paramount. The container is fire rated from inside to out to give 60 minutes of fire resistance, and is fitted with an external isolator and a powerful 5KW HVAC unit – deliberately oversized to keep the equipment cool at all times. The new battery testing and storage unit also features a super strong steel 60 Min Fire Rated Door and doorset and is securely locked with S Jones Containers’ own heavy duty patented Contain-ALock® system which is corrosion resistant and tamper proof. The unit was spraypainted to a dark olive green shade to blend with its surroundings. It took just four weeks from initial design to completion, ready to deliver to campus. This is the second project S Jones Conversions Division has completed for Cardiff University. A few years ago, the team created a specialist battery testing and storage unit for the university as part of a previous research project at the Centre of Research into Energy, Waste and Environment. www.sjonescontainers.co.uk/containerconversions Specialist storage units for Cardiff University engineering racing team 20 highereducationestates energy and specialist storage
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