The first Passivhaus development on the University campus, SportPark Pavilion 4 is the latest development on a site that houses the UK’s highest concentration of sports organisations. The facility presents sports organisations with the unique opportunity to secure environmentally future-proof accommodation, tailored to their needs. Occupants can reduce their carbon footprint thanks to triple glazed windows that can be opened, an enhanced thermal efficient airtight building fabric, external solar shading and a highly efficient heat and ventilation system. Going beyond Passivhaus requirements, the University chose to fit SportPark Pavilion 4’s entire roof with solar panels, to further reduce its energy demand.

Martin Channell, Assistant Director of Capital Projects and Programme Management at Loughborough University said: “When SportPark was completed in 2009, it achieved BREEAM Excellent which put it in the top 10% of environmentally rated non-domestic buildings. Pavilion 4’s Passivhaus accreditation sets the benchmark for quality and low energy building efficiency across the University estate to achieve our zero-carbon agenda for 2050.” SportPark will be a unique living lab that enhances the University’s cutting- edge building energy research.

Joel Callow, Director of Beyond Carbon Associates said: “The construction team has worked closely with Loughborough’s researchers to ensure highly detailed measurement of the performance of the building over the coming years.” SportPark Pavilion 4 is delivered by the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) as part of the government’s Getting Building Fund. Funds were designated for investment in local, shovel-ready infrastructure projects to stimulate jobs and support economic recovery across the country. The LLEP was allocated £20m, supporting the SportPark expansion with £6m. Further funding support has been provided by Loughborough Town Deal.