This exemplar decarbonisation project involved the comprehensive refurbishment of the Graham and Ewings buildings within a Conservation Area. Both buildings were taken back to shell and remodelled with all services being replaced. The buildings are super insulated to reduce energy and carbon to the maximum degree practically possible.
The works were successfully completed in less than nine months to minimise the impact on the student estate.
In line with the University’s aspirations to reach net zero by 2038, all gas fired heating systems have been removed. The buildings are now electrically powered and heated, being linked to the university’s offsite renewable photovoltaic energy farms.
Reuse of the building structures rather than demolition prevented the release of hundreds of tonnes of embodied carbon.
Solar thermal heating and air source heat pumps have been installed. The buildings have been super insulated externally to maintain room sizing, with all windows and doors replaced using triple glazed units. All roof coverings have been replaced whilst working in and around existing mature trees.
