Construction

Penrhyn Road Quad Building

The Campus Development Plan is a multi-million pound strategic and capital works project delivering a new level of academic excellence and in student, staff and civic engagement. The heart of the project is about making Kingston University an even greater place to study and work, together with improving benefits to the local community.

 

TARGET: The University aims to achieve BREEAM ratings of at least 'very good' for its new buildings

 

There are a number of sustainability issues which are considered as part of all campus developments. These include:

 

Land Use

  • De-contaminating and reusing previously used sites to minimise new land use.
  • Materials from demolished buildings are recycled to minimise landfill.
Aggregate Use
  • Specification of recycled aggregates for new concrete structures and recycling of excavation for landscaping.
Water Conservation
  • Installing water efficient devices such as waterless urinals, and spray taps. Also recycling rain water for toilet flushing.
  • The use of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems subject to geotechnical conditions.
Sustainable Building Materials
  • The use of materials with high embodied energy and glazing with low E coating.
  • Materials are selected for high durability and low maintenance.
  • Prefabricated elements are used to cut down wastage.
Energy Efficient Design
  • The use of natural ventilation to cool buildings.
  • Reducing glazed areas and orientating buildings to minimise solar gain.
  • Buildings are designed to meet and go beyond the new Part L regulations to enhance energy efficiency.
  • Ultra efficient heating and lighting systems
Renewable Energy Technologies
  • Consideration of feasibility studies to install alternative energy systems such as solar PV cells and wind turbines.
Landscaping and biodiversity
  • Creating new open spaces and landscaping for amenity and biodiversity
Waste Minimisation
  • Provision for recycling and waste minimisation in all new buildings
Transport
  • The University has a travel plan to minimise car use and promote alternative transport
Health & Wellbeing
  • Buildings are designed to be conducive to good health and productivity.
  • Minimising noise impact internally and on the local community
Employment and economic contribution
  • New buildings provide the opportunity to employ new staff and many students and graduates work locally.
Community
  • The University ensures diversity in its employment and student entrance polices and the design of new buildings promote access for all.
  • The University works in partnership with the local community and students and staff volunteer with a number of local projects.

 

For the three new buildings recently opened, the University currently employed architects Arup to help it achieve sustainability as part of its New University Project. Arup uses a Sustainable Project Appraisal Routine (SPeAR®) to appraise the sustainability performance of buildings as part of projects. This is based on a four-quadrant model that structures the issues of sustainability into a robust framework, from which an appraisal of performance can be undertaken.

 

The Centre for Sustainable Communities Achieved through Integrated Professional Education (C-SCAIPE) used a number of sustainability building techniques to reduce its impact on the environment. Download the following article to find out more

Well I Never!

The John Galsworthy Building on Penrhyn Road Campus has been designed to be energy efficient to reduce CO2 during its use and to recycle rain water for toilet flushing.

Eco Angel

Eco Angel

"We have to think about the environmental impact of our buildings from the way they are constructed to the way they are used. For instance the University's new C-SCAIPE project used sustainable materials such as products from recycled sources. Following a review with KUSCO additional energy saving measures have been introduced."

What Can You Do?

Find out about the latest developments through the Campus Development Plan.

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