Construction And Refurbishment

The University considers it essential that sustainability is at the core of new build developments as this will not only improve environmental performance but also minimise operational costs and provide a good working environment for staff and students.

The significance of sustainable construction is acknowledged in the University’s ‘2020 Vision: The Vision for our campus,’ where it is a key driver, and it is also a critical aspect of the University’s Carbon Management Plan.

Sustainable Construction Guidance is in place at the University and this outlines how the organisation will make improvements in, for example, reducing energy use, decreasing carbon emissions, minimising waste production, increasing recycling and reuse, enhancing water efficiency and improving biodiversity. The Guidance is used by the University’s Department of Estates, Hospitality and Contract Services, in addition to the contractors and consultants involved in the design, build and refurbishment of University buildings.

The University has a number of flagship projects, where sustainable construction principles have been put into practice, including the Law Court Building, which achieved a BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) Excellent and an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) A rating on completion in 2011.

The building was also a finalist in the 2011 Green Gown Awards and won the Most Sustainable Construction Award in the Hertfordshire Building Futures Award.

The guide is available to be viewed

Case study - Law Court Building

The Law Court Building is just one of the University’s flagship projects, where sustainable construction principles have been put into practice.

The Law Court Building was completed in 2011 and is a very sustainable building achieving a BREEAM Excellent (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) and an EPC of ‘A’ (Energy Performance Certificate).

It was designed to achieve high levels of sustainability from the outset and provides flexible and adaptable space that maximises the use of natural daylight and ventilation and promotes high levels of space utilisation.

The building has won various awards including the Hertfordshire Building Futures Most Sustainable Construction Award in 2011.

The following aspects contribute to the building’s sustainable credentials:

• A Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant which achieves a 30% reduction in primary energy use compared to heat only boilers
• PV panels, which are predicted to save more than 3 tonnes of carbon per annum
• Lighting controls which ensure lighting is only on when spaces are occupied and natural daylight is not sufficient to light the space
• Natural ventilation system that is estimated to save 180 tonnes of carbon and £30,000 per annum
• Rainwater harvesting system to collect run-off for flushing WCs
• 90% of construction waste was diverted from landfill
• The inclusion of cycle spaces, safe pedestrian access, cycle routes and an excellent bus service to encourage sustainable forms of travel ·
• Extensive green roof and a species-rich wildflower meadow to improve ecological diversity
• Sustainable Urban Drainage system which reduces peak flows to green field run-off rates 
• -"A” and “A+” rated materials were used where possible, particularly in the hard landscaping and the insulation
• Green concrete specification with a high content of cement replacement was used within the concrete mix.