Higher EducationCapability Statement

October 2009

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Introduction

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Contents

Introduction 3

1 Adding Value 4 Design optimisation 6 Reducing energy costs 8 Refurbishment 10 ICT infrastructure 12 Post occupancy evaluation 14

2 Sustainable Design 16 Sustainable masterplanning 18 Meeting carbon targets 20 Passive and low energy design 22 BREEAM and LEED assessment 24 Recycling and water conservation 26 Sustainable materials 28

3 Creating Optimal Learning Environments 30 Lighting and ventilation 32 Acoustics 34 Facades and external shading 36

4 Developing the Education Estate 38 Student accommodation 40 Sports and leisure facilities 41 Faculty buildings 42 Libraries 43 Research laboratories 44

5 Working In Partnership 46 Working with stakeholders and clients 48 Multi-disciplinary approach 49

Locations 50

Our Services 52

Industry Recognition 53

Higher EducationCapability Statement

With an unrivalled track record in the provision of innovative and effective building and infrastructure solutions in the higher education sector, we are uniquely positioned to help universities face the ever changing demands that are made of their buildings and facilities. Our team provides a broad range of engineering consultancy and advisory services ranging from flexible building solutions, sustainable technologies and the refurbishment of existing buildings to campus masterplanning and strategic advice. We have a class leading reputation for creating award winning designs, evidenced by the impressive number of top design awards that the practice has won over the years.

Buro Happold has over 30 years’ experience in the education sector, having worked on projects ranging from primary schools to universities, and academies to research laboratories, across the world. Over that time, we have built many long-term relationships with universities, architects, contractors and other clients, and have developed an appreciation and understanding of the particular issues that face educators and their project partners. The insight we gain from each new

education project enables us to continuously improve our systems and approach, identify new ways of adding value, and provide our design partners and clients with relevant advice on best use of materials and energy in order to provide better value for money.

We draw on our wealth of project experience to create modern, flexible, user-friendly environments that enhance learning and research and benefit the university community. By maintaining an awareness of all the aspects of a project - and not just those for which we have been commissioned to provide our services - we can add value to the building design as a whole. This multi-disciplinary approach enables us to deliver an effective response at the all-important early stages of design, through to the final implementation and subsequent operation of the building.

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Buro Happold is a multi-disciplinary global engineering and strategic consultancy for the built

environment. Guided by the principle that good engineering influences better design, we offer an

integrated service that enables us to respond effectively to the specific challenges presented by

each education project.

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1 Adding Value Getting more from your investment in the long term

Buro Happold is in a unique position to help universities face the future with confidence: our design solutions are easily constructed, environmentally responsible, efficient in their use of energy and deliver exceptional value throughout the project life cycle. Our aim is always to be innovative and responsive to client needs, identifying engineering challenges early on to minimise risk and future costs.

There are many ways in which we are able to use our experience and technical skills to help universities save money. We apply a wide range of strategies during both the development and operational phases to add value and promote the best commercial interests of our clients,

from strategic estates review to the use of money-saving flexible construction methods and low energy technologies. After completion, we offer post occupancy advice on the most economical way to run and maintain the building.

We understand the budgetary and legislative challenges facing educators and can provide expert advice on vital issues such as energy efficiency, carbon reduction, passive design, sustainability and building management. Our expertise in both new build and refurbishment gives university estates more options for managing and maintaining their building stock, vital in the current economic climate.

“Delivering value is all about doing the simple things well.”Neil BillettRegional Director, Buro Happold

1 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK

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Operating in a competitive international market, universities are acutely aware of rising costs and

budgetary constraints. With pressure increasing on central funding in the next few years, the need

to control construction and operational costs is vital on every new development. Together with

sustainability, getting more value from capital investment has become one of the key issues driving

the sector.

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CASE STUDY 1:

One of the key features of the structural design at Queen Margaret University is the use of minimal finishes with exposed thermal mass. The concrete mass, with exposed columns and soffits, provides a natural method of controlling seasonal heat fluctuations, while allowing the architect to achieve the aesthetics they require.

The minimal use of cement in the concrete added value to the construction - cement is the most costly and carbon intensive part of the mix used, as its production process is expensive and uses a lot of energy. Our concrete mix reduced the high level of cement required for this type of structure, but we were still able to achieve a high quality finish. Additionally, the exposed soffits saved on ceiling material and installation costs.

Exposed thermal mass was also a significant aspect of the structural design at Exeter University Forum, providing the architectural finish to rooms. This solution helps to stabilise temperatures with less need for mechanical heating and cooling, whilst also offering the client considerable savings on ceiling finishes. This strategy has been complemented by the use of earth tubes to precool/preheat fresh air by maximising contact with the ground, further reducing the heating and mechanical cooling load, and facades which respond to the different orientations of the building.

Adding Value

Design optimisation

Drawing on a blend of experience and technical know-how, Buro Happold delivers fully integrated, safe, reliable and sustainable design solutions that satisfy the specified performance criteria while providing maximum value for money. To achieve a high level of occupant comfort – without a corresponding high energy usage – we analyse all aspects of a building’s design to ensure that the structure works in harmony with other elements in the design, from the building services and passive strategies to the acoustic requirements.

The type, thickness and composition of the construction materials play a major role in ensuring the design is both economical and sustainable. Exposed concrete mass and more energy-efficient cladding materials are increasingly used to improve performance and thermal stability, and these also become an integral part of the structural aesthetic of a building. To maximise passive environmental control and save on energy costs, our low energy facades incorporate external shading and ventilation systems to provide natural light, warmth and airflow.

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK

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CASE STUDY 2:

The restricted site and the close proximity to other faculty buildings at the Open University Jennie Lee Building required in a structural form that could be constructed with little site storage and minimal noise and dust. Consequently a pre-fabricated precast concrete frame was selected to reduce the noise and waste produced on site; provide a structural form that was self finished and would require little ongoing maintenance. Crucial to the successful delivery of a precast concrete framed building is the early involvement of the supply chain and the modularisation of the building into a minimum number of components. This whole project, including the feature entrance, was delivered using just three column profiles and two beam profiles.

Open University Jennie Lee Building, Milton Keynes, UK

“By reducing the amount of concrete at Queen Margaret University we are producing a project that has less embodied energy, therefore providing a sustainable solution with economic benefits.” Neil Dely Associate Director, Buro Happold Im

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“It is very flexible and will meet the needs of the university going forward. We can adapt the building very simply.” Mike Rhodes Head of Projects, Open University Estates

Exeter University Forum, UK

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Design features that reduce the consumption of energy and water have both environmental and cost-saving benefits. Our engineers incorporate a range of sustainable solutions to help limit the amount of energy used within university buildings and reduce reliance on active systems, from passive design methods such as natural lighting and ventilation to solar panels, lighting controls and combined cooling heat and power

(CCHP) units. The use of presence detectors alone – defaulting to ‘off’ when a room is empty – can cut the amount of electricity used for lighting by as much as 50%.

Buro Happold’s holistic approach to design ensures that the facade, building materials, services and control systems work together to achieve high levels of performance and comfort. Measures such as thermal mass to minimise temperature swings, external shading to reduce solar glare, openable windows to enhance air quality, insulation against heat loss and good daylight penetration all help to conserve resources, cut energy costs and give occupants more control over their personal working or living space. Intelligent building management systems can also be used to control and monitor local conditions, automatically returning a building to a status optimised for energy saving.

Institute of Criminology, Cambridge University, UK

CASE STUDY 1:

At the start of the Imperial College Business School project, electrical demand for the campus was almost at full capacity, with excess steam producing 2MW of waste heat from the existing boiler and district heating system. In order to harness this excess energy and provided greater efficiency, Buro Happold introduced an absorption cooling strategy that would reuse the waste heat and cool the business school. Harnessing this power enabled us to provide some of the absorption chillers for the site at no additional cost other than the initial installation, as they were powered by energy that would otherwise have been wasted.

Feedback from a lifecycle analysis made it clear that 100% absorption cooling was not appropriate to meet the client’s budget constraints, but that a balance between cost and the environment could be achieved however by using 50% absorption, ‘topped up’ by a conventional electric chiller during peak conditions throughout the year. The use of the electric chiller is minimised, allowing the client to remain in budget and also to reduce maintenance costs.

CASE STUDY 2:

The state-of-the-art Institute of Criminology building at Cambridge University houses seminar rooms, lecture theatres, IT spaces and a library situated over two floors. Flexibility in the design has ensured that the building can be adapted to meet changing needs – for example, for less cellular and more open plan space in the future. This flexibility of building services as well as the architectural and structural design adds value by reducing the cost of future modifications, while reducing energy use through the incorporation of a number of energy-saving features.

The services, facade and internal spaces are designed on a regular grid so that fittings like windows and radiators can remain in place if partitions are moved. Because of the east/west orientation, blinds may be in regular use to block out the low sun, so a natural ventilation solution was designed that relies on louvred openings rather than windows. To reduce energy use, the Building Management System (BMS) provides a number of facilities to control the heating and ventilation, including timed operation across different zones, direct compensation of water flow temperature and control and sequencing of the condensing boilers.

Adding Value

Reducing energy costs

“We are able to help our clients save energy in the long term by advising on how their buildings should be used as well as built.” Phil Lines Project Leader, Buro Happold

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“By optimising the building’s planning grid we provided added value in terms of future flexibility, ease of modification and cost saving.”Mike Entwisle Associate Director, Buro Happold

Imperial College Business School, London, UK

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Adding Value

Refurbishment

In a tough economic climate universities need to satisfy growing demand for space while operating within strict spending limits. One clear value-for-money solution is to re-use the large stock of existing buildings which can be successfully updated to meet current standards. Refurbishment is generally quicker and cheaper than new construction, offers a good return on capital outlay and is often more sustainable. It can also provide added value in terms of updated building and ICT services, improved energy usage and easier planning permission.

Refurbishment can serve as a practical demonstration of urban regeneration as well as an opportunity for extending the useful life of an existing building and increasing its energy efficiency in operation. With existing buildings representing by far the largest proportion of estate building stock – and given the need to meet strict government carbon reduction targets – we take measures to ensure that refurbished buildings are brought up to the performance standards required of new build construction.

CASE STUDY 1:

Buro Happold’s work on refurbishing the Grade II listed Victorian wing of the old Jessop Hospital for Women – now named The Jessop Building – for the University of Sheffield, includes reinstating and repairing many of the existing features of the building, as well as adding brand new elements. These include a new entrance and bronze cladding to the rear of the building. As the bronze weathers, it will further complement the colours of the original building. Buro Happold carried out structural repair works to the existing facade to strengthen the tower structure, as well as internal alterations to open up the rooms for students and to facilitate the mechanical servicing strategy required to meet the high acoustic requirements of the music department’s teaching rooms. A former bay window and ground floor staircase previously removed have been reinstated, creating stunning architectural features for the building.

“By bringing the building back to life we have created excellent facilities for our Department of Music and have retained a piece of exquisite Victorian architecture for the city.”Professor Keith Burnett Vice Chancellor of the University of Sheffield

The Jessop Building, University of Sheffield

“Refurbishment is an important way to preserve our built heritage and aid the cause of environmental preservation, as much less construction-related embodied energy will be used.”Neil Squibbs Education Sector Director, Buro Happold

CASE STUDY 2:

The Leeds University Art Gallery is situated in the Grade II listed Parkinson Building, one of the major landmarks of Leeds. Originally completed in 1952, the building has undergone various refurbishments throughout its history. This latest refurbishment involved an extension to the existing gallery to occupy currently unused rooms, maximising the valuable space in the building. Our engineers were able to utilise their extensive knowledge and sensitivity of working with listed buildings to provide structural and building services work on the project.

One of the challenges for the engineers at Buro Happold was fitting a comprehensive close control air conditioning system into a listed building of this scale, without compromising on the maximum internal space available for the gallery. The engineers worked with the architects using the existing

architectural features, and creating new space to conceal air ducts and pipes. Another issue was to ensure access and use of the areas immediately around the gallery were maintained at all times during the construction period; the work was carried out during holidays and term time as impaired access would have adversely affected the students and lecturers alike.

To open the area up and make the best use of natural light the partitions which had been constructed in front of the magnificent windows at the front of the Parkinson Building were removed. This has been balanced with a combination of glazing film, automatically controlled interstitial blinds and sliding blackout shutters which enable UVA and UVB light to be filtered as well as regulating levels of brightness, particularly important for light sensitive exhibitions.

Sliding UV shutters, at Leeds University Art Gallery, UK

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WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY:

Wireless services form an integral and growing component of ICT estates. Buro Happold’s team have the expertise to deliver effective wireless capability, working holistically with the design team to ensure that new systems are successfully implemented and will go on working within the built environment.

The careful consideration of factors such as choice of materials and how the building will be used is important when making a project wireless.

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SMART BUILDINGS:

Creating a ‘smart’ site involves joining together the various building systems – including security, lighting and environmental systems - to work as an integrated whole, intelligently and selectively linking with management applications such as timetabling and room booking. This requires collaboration with the client team to consider how they will operate with the overall design concept and the eventual users. These combined systems can then be operated using an integrated facilities management system, allowing for more effective operation and functionality, while lowering costs, not least by contributing to energy conservation.

If implemented correctly, creating a smart site can greatly reduce operating costs, as fewer operating staff will be required to manage the site day to day than with traditional disparate systems. Additionally, smart sites also reduce construction costs, as less cabling is needed during installation, reducing containment and construction. On refurbishment projects, costs can be mitigated by incorporating existing systems into a new smart solution.

Once a smart solution has been introduced, the post occupancy evaluations and tuning can be undertaken much more effectively, contributing to further savings, and increasing a building’s flexibility of use.

Adding Value

ICT infrastructure

In a world where it is no longer possible to consider the built environment without the influence of ICT, the need for a highly capable and accessible ICT infrastructure is a vital part of modern higher education facilities. With new information technology and services introduced frequently, intelligently designed ICT infrastructures provide the bridge to long-life buildings, enabling rapid take up of new solutions economically and without undue disruption to the building. Through early involvement at design stage, we are able to facilitate progressive change that adds whole life value to projects, by ensuring that developments can support evolving communication requirements and meet sustainability demands.

Universities have three different major end user groups to consider: students, academics and administrative staff. In the early stages of a project, our team works with the client to assess their differing objectives and develop a robust ICT infrastructure that best suits the needs of the occupants. Our engineers implement sophisticated and future-ready ICT systems that maximise capacity while keeping costs under control.

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CASE STUDY:

The Open University’s Jennie Lee Building is a cutting edge facility housing the Faculties of Maths and Computing and the Institute of Educational Technology. Buro Happold worked on the scoping of requirements and the design of an ICT infrastructure that would support the maths department in its new accommodation, ensuring that the ICT facilities were of a quality demanded by this leading research and teaching university. The department also includes high-tech laboratories for modelling, monitoring and measuring human behaviours, and this required the provision of extensive audio-visual (AV) facilities, as well as a capable ‘local’ computer centre within the building.

Buro Happold worked with the university estates department, the user departments and building designers across a range of disciplines to undertake the full systems design, and prepared the contractor’s requirements. We provided support to the design and client teams throughout, and contributed to successfully delivering a major new facility to the university.

“Materials, structures etc impact on the wireless performance of a building, as does user density. The most important aspect of installing a successful ICT infrastructure is forward planning to identify these issues in advance. We lead holistic thinking to achieve this.”Chris Yates ICT Consultant, Buro Happold

Many issues with new and refurbished buildings – for example, insufficient insulation, poor ventilation and inefficient control systems – cannot always be identified at design and construction stage. Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) is an effective method of assessing buildings and how they are functioning, while identifying ways to improve building design, performance and fitness for purpose. By using POE and our extensive knowledge of university buildings, we are able to advise on issues such as reducing carbon emissions in line with increasingly tight benchmarks and how to save money on operational costs.

POE provides the design team with valuable data which can be used to recommend the best value options for clients. By enabling us to quantify the sustainability of occupied buildings and advise on changes to practice or policy, POE becomes a vital tool for optimising the performance of both new and refurbished buildings. For this reason, investing in a POE can reap rewards many times over, not only by reducing energy costs but also by enhancing the quality and comfort of the learning or living space.

Using ‘Soft Landings’ – an approach that provides a service aimed at improving building performance from day one - our specialists engage at the earliest opportunity in a project to provide guidance on post occupancy utilisation and assist the design teams in creating the vision behind the project in terms of functionality, usability, manageability, energy efficiency, environmental performance and occupant satisfaction. This is supported with post occupancy studies to inform the client and to allow fine tuning of the building to ensure optimum performance and user satisfaction. We are able to work with end users to educate them on how to get the best out of their buildings, working with the existing staff and their skills set to assist them in operating new control systems. Using advanced analysis

techniques, our in-depth evaluations include desktop and thermal imaging studies, air-tightness testing and occupant comfort surveys.

Our experts work closely with the end user to identify how a building needs to work for them, and what steps should be taken to achieve the best results. This participation with the client can lead to a greater commitment to solutions we introduce, and a greater willingness to adapt to new ways of operating the site.

CASE STUDY 1:

Incorporating lecture theatres, teaching spaces and office accommodation, the Portland Building at the University of Plymouth enables the Faculty of the Environment to exist as a single complex on the campus. A strong environmental agenda was central to the brief, which required sustainable solutions for cooling, ventilation and lighting. Buro Happold carried out a post-occupancy evaluation to ensure that low energy performance was being achieved during the first year of operation. The process also allowed us to ‘bed in’ the mechanical and electrical systems and tailor their control to suit occupant needs.H

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“As well as highlighting the potential for reductions in utility costs, an energy audit can be used as the foundation for future monitoring and targeting work.”Ian Pegg Sustainability Consultant, Buro Happold

Adding Value

Post occupancy evaluation

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CASE STUDY 2:

University College Falmouth’s 72-acre Tremough Campus is at the hub of the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project to extend higher education provision in the county. The ongoing expansion of the campus is being carried out in several phases, the first of which included a major new academic building that incorporates lecture theatres, faculty buildings, student facilities and a new design centre.

Buro Happold was commissioned to carry out a post-occupancy energy audit to assess the electricity and gas usage of the new build element against a range of benchmark targets. After first establishing the benchmarks for the different types of building

and floor area involved, investigations were carried out into the annual utility consumption and how it is metered, including a walk-around energy audit to understand how spaces were used and serviced.

By evaluating the energy required for various end-uses, we were able to recommend a number of energy efficient measures to reduce consumption, such as introducing an energy management strategy and improving control of plant to tie in with user requirements at different times – for example, minimising the amount of air conditioning used in sparsely occupied zones during vacations.

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Portland Building, University of Plymouth, UK

Combined Universities in Cornwall, Falmouth, UK

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2 Sustainable Design Using resources more efficiently, saving money on energy costs

“Buro Happold’s approach to sustainability in particular was excellent.”Anna Stamp Estates Development Manager, University of Edinburgh

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK

Meeting sustainability targets is now a key requirement in the design, construction and operation of

university buildings. To make sustainability work, Buro Happold employs a range of solutions based

on passive design, simple operation, water conservation, high performance materials and low and

zero carbon (LZC) technologies – such as biomass boilers and photovoltaic panels – which reduce

environmental impact, conserve resources and provide better energy security.

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Sustainability provides a quality framework for the entire design process, enhancing deliverability through easier planning consent and cost control. Our holistic approach of analysing all aspects of a building’s performance provides the opportunity to reduce carbon emissions to meet and improve on current environmental targets. We help develop a practical sustainability strategy to achieve these targets, focusing not just on the way a building is designed but also the way it is used.

During the design process we encourage the supply of materials from renewable sources and the adoption of sustainable waste management strategies. We provide expert advice on how to achieve best practice in

sustainable design, assessing a building’s environmental impact against a range of sustainability benchmarks, including energy consumption, transport, pollution, waste and building management.

To be sustainable in the long term and maximise value, a university building needs to be efficiently engineered to embody minimum energy, be receptive to user needs and allow for flexibility and future adaptability. In addition there are strong links between a building’s integrated environmental approach and numerous health, comfort and learning benefits to its occupants, providing further strong economic incentives for sustainable development.

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CASE STUDY:

Buro Happold was appointed as a part of the team to develop a new masterplan for University College Falmouth Tremough Campus, which included the outline design of the services and drainage infrastructure and the development of a sustainability strategy for the campus development. The proposed development of the site brings in a series of plans for the ongoing development of the campus to expand to over 5,000 full time students.

We examined how each room used energy over a 24 hour period – for example, teaching spaces would only use energy during daytime hours, and student accommodation would use the most energy before and after lecture times. We were then able to assess how to provide energy to each space.

Additionally, we advised the university on the provision of renewable energy solutions for the campus. A farm near the UCF project already had two wind turbines in place. We suggested that by adding a third turbine, the university could produce all of the energy needed for the campus.

Sustainable Design

Sustainable masterplanning

Universities are at the heart of the local community, and many are expanding their campuses to meet rising student numbers. Buro Happold works in partnership with clients and architects to create functional, flexible and environmentally responsible masterplans that unlock the potential of the development for the benefit of all stakeholders. We bring a thorough understanding of the many complex environmental, technical and regulatory issues involved, allowing us to identify solutions that save energy, conserve resources and minimise impacts.

To be competitive in today’s international HE market, universities need to create an efficient and sustainable campus that appeals to a diverse community of students and staff – as well as meeting the estate’s business needs. Working as part of an integrated engineering and design team, we consider a range of factors that contribute to a successful outcome, such as energy supply, transport, drainage, ecology, water quality and waste management. Most importantly our masterplans are flexible, allowing for new uses and opportunities based on predictions of how the site is likely to develop.

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“Rather than running each building independently, we advised linking the buildings up to a district heating main so that they all used the same system. This would mean that one energy centre would cover all buildings, saving money and energy.”Phil Lines Project Leader, Buro Happold

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Low-level displacement supplyfrom raised access floor plenum

High-level mechanical extract

EXETER UNIVERSITY FORUM - VENTILATION

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Natural ventilationat the perimeter

Retail capped connectionto supply and extract ductwork

Intake air fromEarth Tubes

Bank capped connectionto supply and extract ductwork

EXPLORATION LABS

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Sustainable Design

Meeting carbon targets

Higher education needs to play its part in meeting national carbon reduction targets as part of the fight against climate change. As well as contributing to the government’s aim for all new public buildings to be zero carbon by 2018, most universities will also be subject to the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), which comes into effect in 2010. Reducing carbon emissions has therefore become a key requirement in the design, construction and management of modern HE buildings.

Keeping carbon emissions low saves money as well as resources: UK universities and colleges spend well over £200 million a year on energy so there are considerable opportunities to save money through more efficient use – savings that can be invested in valuable resources for staff and students. With buildings in the HE sector in England alone emitting around 3.3 million tonnes of CO2 annually, it is also an invaluable opportunity to enhance its reputation for environmental responsibility.

Buro Happold is a pioneer in the use of sustainable strategies and technologies that minimise carbon footprint and set new standards for energy performance, often drawing on the large stock of data gained from our post-occupancy evaluations (POEs) to recommend the best options for our clients. To achieve compliance with the CRC, we help institutions identify and implement ways of saving energy in all areas of a building’s procurement, design and operation.

CASE STUDY 1:

The new Alsion Campus in Sonderborg covers a substantial 20,000m2 site, and includes a state of the art concert hall and a science park. Buro Happold worked with the project design team to achieve the client’s ambition of beating the Danish Building Regulation targets, which are 30% more exacting than UK regulations. By carefully analysing and detailing the large amounts of glass planned for the structure, it was possible to demonstrate that energy savings were achievable while realising the architect’s vision for the building.

A key part of this development is to implement a number of energy saving features, such as river water cooling techniques, solar shading and renewable energy systems. Following its opening in autumn 2007, the new campus as a whole has achieved a 20–30% reduction in energy consumption.

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CASE STUDY 2:

The brief for the Exeter University Forum was to be as sustainable as possible. Solutions utilised by the design team include maximising the use of natural daylight and ventilation, thermal mass, earth tubes and ground source heat pumps (GSHPs). These have resulted in the design achieving an additional 16% improvement on the targets set. The Forum project is on course to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

The earth tubes are to be buried below the internal street area to pre-cool or pre-heat the air entering the building during the summer and winter months. The ground temperature is relatively constant at around 12oC, and therefore can significantly reduce the air heating and air cooling demands for the building. Extensive analysis was carried out to

determine the size of the tubes in order to make them compatible with the building’s foundations and the topography of the site, while achieving the required performance. GSHPs will provide space heating to the new Forum building and refurbished library. They will produce approximately 55% of the CO2 of a gas condensing boiler per KWh of delivered heat, offering substantial carbon benefits.

Exeter University has recently been awarded the Carbon Trust Standard, putting it among the top 10 universities in the UK for carbon management, and the Forum project is an important next step in maintaining this postion.

Exeter University Forum, UK

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Alsion Campus, Syddansk University Science and Technology Park, Sonderborg, Denmark

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CASE STUDY 2:

A key element to the design at the new Sighthill Campus at Napier University was the need to meet the requirements set by the Edinburgh Standard for Sustainable Buildings (ESSB), along with the clients’ brief to achieve a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating. The ESSB requires that all developments over 5,000m² demonstrate sustainability and generate 10–20% of their energy through renewable or low carbon sources. The Sighthill campus exceeds these requirements with a number of low energy solutions.

The campus is served by an energy centre located on the perimeter of the site, which houses a heating plant incorporating a combined heat and power (CHP) plant. The CHP serves the site wide district heating network and will achieve the savings required by the ESSB and BREEAM assessment.

In addition to the CHP system, the general teaching spaces incorporate a low energy cooling strategy with exposed concrete soffits, a night purge cooling regime, underfloor air supply delivery and high level passive cooling terminals.

“The Combined Heat and Power system at Napier provides a 20% saving in itself, so combined with other sustainable solutions, we are performing approximately 40–45% better than the current building regulations”Graeme Gidney Associate Director, Buro Happold

Sustainable Design

Passive and low energy design

University buildings that use passive design principles are able to achieve a more sustainable outcome while providing healthy and comfortable learning environments. Buro Happold’s approach to sustainable design follows a ‘lean, mean, green’ methodology, designing buildings from the outset to use less energy by utilising passive measures such as natural heating, lighting, ventilation and external shading, and then ensuring that both materials and systems are used responsibly and efficiently. Renewable energy systems are then applied to minimise residual carbon emissions.

Our integrated solutions are designed to create a balanced internal climate, using exposed thermal mass as an effective way of regulating summer and winter temperatures while improving levels of occupant comfort and reducing reliance on active heating and cooling systems.

Alsion Campus, Syddansk University Science and Technology Park, Sonderborg, Denmark

CASE STUDY 1:

One of the many ways the low energy aspirations have been met at Syddansk University’s Alsion Campus is through the use of exposed concrete. The building structure is made mainly of concrete which is exposed wherever possible to act as a thermal buffer. Large cantilevers along the water’s edge are hung from substantial steel beams at roof level. The atrium spaces are created as steel and glass boxes between the primary concrete teaching blocks.

The buildings are primarily naturally ventilated using the exposed thermal mass to cool the spaces. In higher density occupation classrooms, additional cooling comes from chilled ceilings. To limit cold draughts in winter, perimeter heating and trickle ventilation is provided. Automatic windows are opened at night to facilitate night cooling and reduce energy usage. In areas where mechanical cooling and ventilation were required, heat recovery was incorporated.

Sighthill Campus at Napier University, UK

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24 25Experimental Media and Performing Arts Centre (EMPAC), Troy, NY, USA

Sustainable Design

BREEAM and LEED assessment

BREEAM is the UK’s leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings. It sets the standard for best practice in sustainable design, using a straightforward scoring system that is easy to understand and supported by evidence-based research. BREEAM’s equivalent in other regions includes LEED in North America. BREEAM has recently introduced a new methodology tailored specifically to the needs of the HE sector, allowing for the assessment of teaching, mixed-use and research buildings.

CASE STUDY 2:

The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) in Sheffield demonstrates the financial viability of carbon neutral buildings. It exemplifies good building form design, the appropriate use of materials and how servicing solutions can be applied to complement a building’s low energy credentials. The low energy and sustainable features have enabled the AMRC to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

The AMRC makes extensive use of natural daylighting, with around 97% of the accommodation naturally lit most of the time. The design team ensured that the windows were sized to allow in the maximum amount of light, with roof lights over the deep plan areas to ensure daylight penetration. Additionally, materials such as ETFE and Kalwall cladding provide daylighting to areas that could not be lit by conventional windows, and also have good insulation properties. These solutions considerably reduce the need for artificial lighting with its associated running costs and emissions.

Similarly, the building is designed to optimise natural ventilation. In the areas that require mechanical ventilation and cooling for operational purposes, flexibility is built in to allow the spaces to be naturally ventilated if the building’s requirements change at a later date. The mechanical ventilation is powered by the AMRC’s two wind turbines, which generate enough energy for the whole site.

Buro Happold has significant experience in managing, advising and assessing BREEAM, ensuring target levels are achieved in the most appropriate way, and guiding the client and design team throughout the process. The minimum standard set by the Sustainable Development Action Plan for education projects – including new builds, major refurbishments and extensions – is BREEAM ‘Very Good’. Buro Happold works to exceed this through measures such as passive design, renewable energy, waste recycling and the use of sustainable materials, achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’ on many of its HE projects, and looking to target ‘Outstanding’ on selected schemes.

CASE STUDY 1:

Sustainability was a major factor in the design for the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Centre (EMPAC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate New York. The project aims to achieve a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver rating. Buro Happold has been responsible for LEED co-ordination with the design team and has assisted the client with the LEED accreditation process on this large and complicated project. Buro Happold’s services included defining sustainable design goals, identifying environmentally responsible design opportunities, explaining the intent of the LEED ratings and points, and performing LEED assessment at the various stages of design.

The design team aimed for a 30% water reduction compared to traditional features by incorporating a rainwater harvesting system and 20,000 cubic foot underground retention tank. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems are fitted with variable speed drives, and the ventilation systems have demand control to regulate air volume depending on condition, as well as individual controls for light and air. Additionally, 20% of the materials used in construction are sourced from local suppliers based within 500 miles of the university, while 75% of the construction waste was recycled.

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Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), University of Sheffield, UK

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“It’s possible to save a third of a building’s energy simply by educating users how to operate it more efficiently.”Phil Lines Project Leader, Buro Happold

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CASE STUDY:

On the AMRC project, our engineers applied a hierarchy of features, looking firstly at the building form and how it will use energy. The building’s location on an exposed site led to the use of wind turbines as the preferred choice for providing all of the building’s power needs.

Two 250 watt wind turbines will provide sufficient energy – approximately 600,000 kWh per year – to achieve carbon neutrality. During periods of low demand, the turbines will feed any excess electricity generated back to the grid. By generating all of the energy onsite, the client may save approximately £150,000 annually in utility bills. Additionally, the turbines have a life expectancy in excess of 20 years, providing more value for the client.

To complement the use of the wind turbines, our engineers added ground source heat pumps (GSHP) to provide low grade hot water, which is used to supply the underfloor heating system as well as provide chilled water in the summer for cooling. Crucially, the GSHP are powered by the electricity provided by the turbines. As they use energy very efficiently, the building maximises the energy produced by the turbines.

“With the help of Buro Happold, we have managed to arrive at a solution that effectively minimises our environmental impact, while working within demanding budgetary constraints.”David Briggs University of Sheffield Estates Department

On every project we consider the overall efficiency of the structure and the type of materials involved, ensuring that we limit the amount of waste that is sent to landfill. This sustainable approach enables us to deliver buildings that use less construction-related embodied energy, while reducing the long-term carbon footprint. We discuss a waste management strategy with clients at an early stage to minimise regulatory risks and future operational costs, guiding the environmental assessment process and analysing opportunities for local treatment of waste – as well as advising on more efficient construction methods.

With a huge rise in demand and a growing scarcity in some areas, water conservation is essential to ensure a consistent supply and reduce environmental impact. Where possible, Buro Happold utilises sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) that enable rainwater to naturally drain into the subsoil, and so reduce the risk of ‘non-point source’ pollution. In buildings, we achieve low levels of consumption using methods such as greywater recycling, rainwater harvesting, low flush toilets and water efficient taps and shower heads.

Sustainable Design

Recycling and water conservation

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK

CASE STUDY:

One of the key issues at Queen Margaret University was trying to minimise the amount of waste material taken off site. Our engineers did this by creating various features on the site that made use of these materials; for example, some of the soil was put into a ‘noise bund’ to protect the site from the noise from the nearby A1. The bund functions as an acoustic barrier, protecting both the student accommodation and some of the academic buildings. This solution will assist the client in achieving the required CEEQUAL sustainability award.

Another key feature of the project was the use of a sustainable drainage system to manage surface water. A central pond collects rainwater from the roofs and paved areas and filters it, before returning it to the waterways. As well as providing a solution to the problem of excess surface water, this also provides an opportunity to investigate biodiversity by introducing new species to the pond that were not on the site previously.

Sustainable Design

Use of renewable energy sources

Growing environmental concerns and government policies are driving the increased use of low and zero carbon (LZC) energy sources. These include renewables and combined heat and power (CHP) systems which mitigate the environmental impact of buildings by reducing fossil fuel use, as well as adding value through energy security and whole life cost savings. The successful integration of LZC energy requires detailed knowledge of ‘traditional’ building services as well as the alternative technologies themselves.

Buro Happold is able to offer expert strategic advice on energy planning and policy, regulatory requirements, energy procurement and alternative energy options. We have in-depth experience gained on education projects worldwide of implementing a broad range of innovative green solutions, including wind turbines, biomass heating, photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting systems and ground source heat pumps. This experience extends to grant funding applications and consideration of the forthcoming feed-in tariffs which will improve the financial viability of many renewable energy technologies.

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Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), University of Sheffield, UK

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Sustainable Design

Sustainable materials

CASE STUDY 2:

The Wales Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE) was built at the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT), Europe’s leading Eco Centre, with a brief to showcase the very latest thinking in environmentally conscious building design. The sustainable elements of the building are demonstrated through the exposed structure, which also functions as an educational tool for the residential courses in subjects including architecture and engineering.

Among the innovative features of the building are the rammed earth walls in the Institute’s lecture theatre, which were constructed using a highly sustainable mix of clay, sand, water and aggregate. These materials were then built up in thin layers before being tamped down to form the walls, creating a natural alternative to a concrete or steel building. The circular wall of the theatre is 7.5m

high and 15m in diameter, measuring 450mm in width. Utilising some 280 tonnes of soil, it is the largest rammed earth project to be built in the UK.

The large three-storey split-level building positioned alongside the lecture theatre, which includes student accommodation, offices and teaching spaces, makes extensive use of locally sourced timber. Glulam beams create a framed structure, supporting an innovative solid timber floor to maximise spans and provide the ceiling of the space below. A lime and hemp fill material is used between the structural posts and beams of the building, a solution that was chosen for its excellent insulation properties and sustainability credentials. The fill material was pumped into place using a technique developed in conjunction with Lime Technology, a specialist contractor.

CASE STUDY 1:

The materials used for the Salford University Faculty of Law project contribute both to the sustainability of the project and its aesthetic appeal. The building is clad with inflatable pillows of ETFE and utilises a Trespa Meteon cladding system, a by-product of the timber industry. 70% of its cellulose is sourced from managed forests, while the durability of the material contributes to the lifespan of the building.

ETFE is a highly sustainable material that is one per cent of the weight of glass, transmits more light and costs 24% to 70% less to install. It is also very resilient, with the ability to bear 400 times its own weight, and totally recyclable. Colour shines through the ETFE from an LED lighting system housed between the bubbles, creating a spectacular visual effect.

For lifelong sustainability, Deltabeams were used on the first and second floors, maximising the benefits of the TermoDeck heating, cooling and ventilating system by allowing air to circulate through the floor planks and the beams. This maximises the natural heat storage capacity of the hollow core slabs, minimising energy consumption.

Through extensive research into sustainable construction, Buro Happold is able to utilise materials and techniques that help to create more appealing, productive and environmentally friendly learning environments. We have in-depth experience of evaluating materials performance, advising on the best solutions for thermal efficiency and occupant comfort.

On all projects our materials specification is assessed against strict engineering sustainability criteria. We are able to provide clients with best practice advice on the use of materials from concept design and construction to re-use, recycling or demolition, evaluating issues such as performance, energy efficiency, maintenance costs, service life and environmental impact.

We always aim to use materials and techniques that suit the form and location of the project – from traditional concrete, steel, timber, stone and fabric to new high-tech glass, polymer and gel technologies used in our energy efficient facade systems. We were also early pioneers in the use of lightweight ETFE foil cushions as a sustainable alternative to glazing in roofs and atria.

University of Salford, Faculty of Law, Salford, UK

WaIes Institute for Sustainable Education (WISE), Machynlleth, UK

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Good quality higher education requires good quality environments. Research has shown a clear link

between the design of campus buildings and the recruitment, retention and satisfaction of staff

and students. From the outset of a project, Buro Happold looks at all factors that influence quality,

value and performance. Drawing on our wide experience in the HE sector, we apply the latest

engineering solutions to create vibrant academic environments that meet an institution’s present

and future needs.

We are pioneers in the use of sustainable strategies and technologies, including low energy facades, external shading systems, integrated building services and passive climate control. Working as an integrated team, our engineers and consultants are able to influence all areas of the design to create a balanced environment best suited to a building’s use, while saving on heating and air conditioning costs.

Summer temperatures and the amount of natural light are two of the biggest environmental design challenges which affect the quality of space in educational buildings. By optimising natural heating, ventilation

and daylighting in the most environmentally friendly way, we are able to make a building more comfortable, sustainable and easy to maintain over its entire lifecycle.

Sound is another major factor in creating the right conditions for learning. Buro Happold’s acoustic specialists have worked across a range of campus buildings, from offices to performance spaces. Using computer modelling and sound surveys to assess the acoustic environment within a room – as well as external noise and break-in from adjoining rooms – we are able to guide the design to help our clients meet the required acoustic performance targets.

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3 Creating Optimal Learning Environments Improving the educational experience through quality design

“Our challenge is to provide high quality environments that are suitable for world class teaching, learning and research, with low running costs and environmental impact.”Mike EntwisleAssociate Director, Buro Happold

University of Salford, Faculty of Law, Salford, UK3Im

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With buildings responsible for over 40% of all energy consumption in the UK, Buro Happold’s approach is to ‘design out’ active systems wherever possible in favour of passive environmental strategies, without a loss of occupant comfort or functionality. We are focused on helping clients obtain the most sustainable outcomes at the best value, while providing the most pleasant environment for occupants. Working as part of an integrated team we are able to balance our clients’ aspirations with engineering and budgetary constraints to design high performance, low energy environmental control systems.

Lighting, heating and air conditioning are significant cost factors in university buildings, so there is a strong financial incentive to adopt green techniques such as solar shading, daylighting and well designed facades. Because natural lighting and ventilation can have bottom line benefits in terms of energy savings – as well as proven productivity and health gains – we examine in detail what impact elements such as openable windows, glazing materials, shading systems and blinds can have on air quality and lighting levels in interior spaces.

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Creating Optimal Learning Environments

Lighting and ventilation

CASE STUDY 2:

On the Napier University project, to ensure daylighting was utilised as much as possible, Buro Happold’s work at the early stages of the design was focused on form and orientation. A detailed shading analysis was carried out to inform the massing of buildings on the site in order to optimise access to available daylight. The resulting design is a pavilion arrangement, with two separate blocks housing the office and academic areas divided by a central glazed atrium street. In addition to contributing to the environmental strategy our solutions saved the client money, as there is less need for mechanical cooling, heating and ventilation systems.

The ventilation strategy of the refurbished structure was determined by the floor to floor heights, which were insufficient for optimal ventilation effectiveness. To overcome this issue a series of natural ventilation stacks were placed at the rear of the offices to facilitate natural cross flow ventilation. This innovative system combines engineered perimeter openings and automated natural ventilation stacks to provide enhanced effective air flow. Extensive computational fluid dynamic modelling was undertaken to demonstrate that the proposed cross ventilation scheme will improve occupancy comfort conditions.

Napier University’s new Sighthill campus, Edinburgh, UK

Early site shading analysis to inform the form,

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Imperial College Business School, London, UK

CASE STUDY 1:

The glass facade of the new atrium at Imperial College Business School provides a stunning entrance to the existing building. The facade presented environmental challenges as it effectively enclosed the existing offices, lecture theatres and workshops, which previously had access to windows for natural ventilation. Our specialists carried out an analysis of the space to illustrate to the client that the temperature in the internal environment would not be compromised by the new facade. The strategy devised for optimising the environment within the atrium involved combining displacement ventilation with underfloor heating and cooling in winter and summer.

In winter, displacement ventilation is combined with underfloor heating to provide a radiant warming to the occupied space. Tempered fresh air is supplied to the basement plant room from an air handling unit mounted on the roof. This air is heated to the required temperature and supplied to the lower ground and entrance area through grilles. Stale air is mechanically extracted at high level.

In summer, the atrium conditioning also uses a displacement ventilation strategy combined with underfloor cooling. The fresh air supplied to the basement plant is cooled to the required temperature and distributed as in winter. Use of a cooled slab assists the cooled air to remain at a low level enabling it to be thrown further, improving the performance of the displacement ventilation.

Shaping the acoustic environment through creative design is an important part of improving the quality of the educational experience. With noise control of paramount importance in academic buildings, we work to establish acceptable design parameters which achieve compliance while meeting the aspirations of the individual university. Our acoustics team guides architects and engineers by advising on core issues such as room acoustics, insulation, the building facade and equipment, as well as the acoustic impact of low energy strategies such as thermal mass. Using advanced 3D modelling techniques and auralisations – the technique of presenting simulated sound fields in a form that can be heard – we study both the internal and external acoustics to enable issues such as intrusive noise levels to be better ‘understood’, leading to faster and more cost-effective design decisions and solutions.

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CASE STUDY 1:

The acoustic performance of the concert hall at the Experimental Media and Performing Arts Centre (EMPAC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute was key to creating the right environment for a state of the art performance space. The Broadcast Standard NC-15 noise criteria set as a brief requirement for the site’s four main venues and the audio production suite demanded a very close working relationships between the design teams. The interior of the concert hall is a shoebox form, optimised for romantic-era symphonic music but with adaptive acoustics to accommodate jazz, amplified music, films and spoken word events.

Buro Happold led the design team in creating a venue that is acoustically diffusive, while maintaining an open and soaring environment. This was achieved by exploring and testing subtle room-shaping techniques and with targeted adoption of new material technologies such as partially reflective acoustic fabric for the ceiling. The engineered fabric has been designed and woven specifically to allow for the balanced reflection of mid and high-frequencies, allowing performers to hear themselves and each other.

In addition to the acoustic solutions in the hall, a displacement ventilation air handling system moves tempered fresh air into the hall slowly and silently from under the seats to maintain a comfortable environment.

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Experimental Media and Performing Arts Centre (EMPAC), Troy, NY, USA

CASE STUDY 2:

Buro Happold has been part of the design and commissioning team for the state-of-the-art Nanoscience and Quantum Information (NS & QI) Laboratory at the University of Bristol. The building, located in the centre of the city, is home to an inter-disciplinary research community drawn from science, engineering and medicine, bringing together the best minds in the field of nanotechnology.

The scientific laboratories have been designed to provide vibration and acoustic noise performance levels that are amongst the lowest achieved anywhere in the world. In order to achieve these ultra-low vibration levels, novel techniques have been utilised to isolate the laboratories from the local sources of vibration and acoustic noise, such as traffic, footfall and plant machinery.

Buro Happold’s vibration and acoustics specialists measured and assessed the performance of the labs under various conditions. We advised the University on ways in which the building can be made even quieter, using advanced numerical modelling techniques to test proposed enhancements and inform the design process. Detailed investigations were carried out into the possible effects on the labs when constructing new buildings in the immediate vicinity.

Results of a two-dimensional Finite-Element model, showing

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Creating Optimal Learning Environments

Acoustics

An example of a two-dimensional Finite-Element model

used to assess the vibrational performance of one of the

NS & QI labs.

A facade plays a key role in reducing a building’s energy consumption and influencing the quality and comfort of its internal spaces, as well as defining its outward appearance and its visual impact within the campus environment. With sustainability now a key regulatory requirement, we carefully analyse the environmental ‘behaviour’ and performance of the facade design using advanced techniques such as thermal modelling, solar and glare studies, and wind analysis. By drawing on our practical knowledge of ventilation, external shading and

weather proofing systems – down to the technicalities of fixings and tolerances – we can provide high level advice on the most cost-effective way to develop and procure the building envelope.

Using external and internal shading is a highly effective method of minimising the impact of summer sun – solar gain can be reduced by as much as 90%. A wide variety of systems are available, from motorised blinds and louvres to fixed or adjustable brise-soleil. Preventing the sun’s heat from entering the building can save on energy costs and reduce glare, and provides future proofing against the effects of climate change. Shading systems can be fitted to existing as well as new structures, providing a good opportunity to improve the energy performance of some refurbished campus buildings.

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Creating Optimal Learning Environments

Facades and external shading

CASE STUDY 2:

At Salford University Faculty of Law the shading provided by the top floor cantilever section allows the lower floors to be fully glazed. The top floor has less glazing to reduce solar gain and is clad in Trespa Meteon, which has excellent insulation properties and therefore saves on energy costs.

Sustainability and performance issues were key concerns at the University of Edinburgh School of Informatics, where the low energy strategy included careful regulation of the glazed areas to reduce solar gain, openable windows to provide natural ventilation and night-time air purging. These and other passive measures such as exposed thermal mass enabled the project to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating.

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Informatics Forum, University of Edinburgh

School of Informatics, UK

University of Salford, Faculty of Law, Salford, UK

Faculty of English at Cambridge University, UK

CASE STUDY 1:

The facade at the award winning Faculty of English at Cambridge University was carefully detailed to provide an easily controllable natural ventilation solution which ensures that airflow can be maintained whenever required. Separating the functions of daylight and view from the ventilation ensured that ventilation is available when blinds are in use, in the event of driving rain, and also securely at night in summer to precool the building for the next day. Through an iterative design process with the architect, we defined the areas required for appropriate ventilation and how these were to be controlled. Detailed analysis of the ventilation included evaluation of the cladding contractor’s proposals for the openings and the protective louvres. We defined the performance of protective brises-soleil to appropriate facades, but also ensured that where these were not required full advantage was taken of glare and solar gain free daylight. In conjunction with the in situ concrete structure and the finely detailed and highly specified facade, this building achieved an air tightness of over ten times lower than the requirements of building regulations, reducing heat losses during winter.

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Working within a campus environment presents numerous challenges, particularly when providing

new, leading edge facilities of many different types. Buro Happold has extensive experience in

the design and construction of a wide range of academic buildings – both on and off campus –

including libraries, science laboratories, sports complexes, performance venues, faculty offices,

lecture theatres and student halls of residence.

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4 Developing the Education Estate Specialist facilities to enable learning, research and leisure

“Our priority is to create high quality, energy-efficient campus buildings that provide exceptional value in their design, construction and operation.”Neil SquibbsEducation Sector Director, Buro Happold

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We always put a strong focus on the needs of staff and students – what do they want and expect from the university they choose? Providing well-designed learning and recreational spaces has a clear positive impact on the popularity of the university and overall satisfaction with the campus, helping to attract the best academics as well as enhancing the overall student ‘experience’.

Each type of facility has very different requirements, and to achieve successful outcomes the exchange of information and good team interaction between the university and the design team are essential at all stages of a project. Whether new-build or refurbishment, we

also carefully consider how the building will relate to existing structures and how the site is likely to develop in the future.

Above all, a university must be able to meet the diverse – and changing – needs of all its many users and form the heart of a vibrant community. With our wealth of multi-disciplinary expertise to draw on – as well as our extensive supply chain capabilities – Buro Happold is able to deliver truly world class learning and research environments that will inspire a new generation of students.

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Developing the Education Estate

Sports and leisure facilities

The English Institute of Sport, University of Bath

CASE STUDY:

One of the key elements of the English Institute of Sport at the University of Bath is the central viewing gallery and its support system. Our engineers devised a method to build the gallery for the required eight tennis courts at ceiling height, meeting specific volume requirements while minimising intrusion of the gallery into the sports area below. Supported by three structural ‘trees’, the gallery bisects the courts and provides full viewing over each one. The trees are three dimensional lattice columns and also function as the primary component of the stability systems for the tennis hall. Cantilevering up from the structure’s foundations, the trees provide a row of lateral restraints along the spine of the hall.

A central goal of the project was enabling different elements to perform multiple functions, such as the gallery supports and roof trusses. The bottom chord of the hall’s 75m long trusses acts as support for the tennis netting, while the trusses themselves also contain radiant heating, lighting, and a PA system, and are expected to fluctuate significantly in length as the temperature varies inside the hall. Specific central positioning of the trusses allows for this expansion and contraction without locking thermal stress into the structure itself.

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Developing the Education Estate

Student accommodation

Glen Eyre Halls of Residence, University of Southampton, UK

CASE STUDY:

The project to refurbish and extend the Glen Eyre Halls of Residence at the University of Southampton involved upgrading three existing 1960s blocks to include 204 en suite post-graduate rooms and 412 cluster-organised bedroom units. The new accommodation provides a focus and identity for social activities, while achieving a seamless integration between the refurbishment and the new extensions.

As the building was to be re-clad as part of the refurbishment programme, Buro Happold advised on improvements in the U-value of the walls, roof and windows and the air tightness rating of the building. Our consultants specified the make up of fabric, glazing performance and water efficient fixtures in order to ensure a high quality result. To ensure that the development did not have an adverse affect on the rest of the site, a series of modelling studies were carried out to examine the potential impact on the existing surrounding buildings and trees.

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CASE STUDY:

The new studio building for the Faculty of the Built Environment at the University of the West of England (UWE) was constructed to accommodate the rising number of students enrolling on a four year undergraduate degree course in Architecture and Planning. The client’s brief was to create a low energy building that would achieve a minimum of a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, while exploring the use of innovative material combinations.

Materials selected for the design contribute to the sustainability of the project and allow the building to function as a teaching tool in itself. The building is a long span, steel framed structure that utilises thin bed bonded brickwork and straw bale cladding, demonstrating a hybrid sustainable construction.

The environmental strategy utilises natural ventilation and daylighting to reduce energy consumption and improve occupant comfort. The building has been zoned to group most of the studio space on the north facade in order to maximise daylighting, with the areas requiring more controlled lighting located on the south side. Although designed in 1999-2000, the building is performing well, with a ‘B’ rating Display Energy Certificate – exceptional performance for a building with extended hours of use.

The Faculty of the Built Environment,

University of the West of England, Bristol, UK

Developing the Education Estate

Faculty buildings

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Developing the Education Estate

Libraries

Dundee Library Extension

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CASE STUDY:

The extension to the library at Dundee University reflects the changing ways in which students and academics work, and provides a space to facilitate new ways of learning. The extension needed to provide separate spaces for quiet study and for conversation and meeting areas. The existing library and the new building are separated by transparent panelling that acts as an acoustic barrier. The panelling ‘covers up’ the elevation of the existing building, providing acoustic separation between the study areas and the interactive areas.

Similarly, the new library building at Queen’s University Belfast needs to be capable of supporting learning and teaching for future generations, as well as forming an integral part of transforming the university’s infrastructure.

Student workstations and help desk facilities are on the ground floor, while the quieter library spaces are located on upper floors. A full height wall of patterned acoustic panels prevents noise from the atrium travelling into the library.

Sustainability is key in the design of the new facilities, with the use of daylighting informing the massing, orientation and form. Exposed thermal mass enables the indoor climate to be established during peak occupancy periods and a night cooling strategy has been incorporated. A natural ventilation system is utilised throughout much of the building, while chilled beams to cool classrooms and computer intensive spaces significantly reduce energy costs.

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Developing the Education Estate

Research laboratories

CASE STUDY 2:

Flexibility to enable future changes was an important element in the design of York University Bioscience Research Facility. The building accommodates research teams of differing sizes - from individuals to larger groups - which can change over time, requiring a building which has facilities that can be adapted. The building was designed as a modular grid, with a service spine running down the main corridor. This allowed for the room sizes to be changed without moving the services.

One of the key elements of the design was the need to ensure that the space was suitable for the very sensitive equipment used in the rapidly developing micro and nano technologies. Vibration needed to be reduced to a minimum so that the performance of the sensitive microscopes - used for the production of microchips where the highest precision is required – was not affected. Traditionally a concrete framed building is used for a facility with these requirements, but a feasibility study showed that, after modification, a steel framed solution could not only deliver similar performance characteristics to a concrete frame but would also result in a £200,000 saving. The ground floor level is often particularly sensitive to vibration, so ‘zones’ for the equipment were created using isolated floors.

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York University Biosciences Research Facility, UK

York University Biosciences Research Facility, UK

CASE STUDY 1:

The Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM), which will spearhead the University of Edinburgh’s work in stem cell research, incorporates a number of renewable energy technologies that comply with the Edinburgh Standards for Sustainable Buildings (ESSB). In order to achieve a solution that is both energy efficient and cost effective, the office and administration spaces are kept separate from the laboratories, which use significantly more energy.

The office based areas are located at the perimeter of the building, allowing them to benefit from daylighting and natural ventilation. Dynamic energy modelling and computational fluid dynamics analysis was undertaken to ensure the optimal configuration of external shading, the provision of

good daylighting levels, and the suitability of natural ventilation. Manual windows combined with underfloor fresh air and passive chilled beams provide a comfortable internal environment.

The areas of the facility where close control of the internal environment is needed, along with spaces requiring ‘black box’ conditions, are located at the heart of the building. The primary laboratory spaces are arranged to provide maximum future flexibility, with active chilled beams incorporated to provide the required cooling. The use of chilled beams, combined with ground source heating and cooling and photovoltaic array, has allowed the SCRM to achieve a 20% reduction in carbon emissions.

The Scottish Centre for Regenerative Medicine (SCRM),

University of Edinburgh, UK

Early CFD modelling to demonstrate natural

ventilation in perimeter office space.

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5 Working in Partnership Delivering projects in a spirit of collaboration and cooperation

“Buro Happold offers a unique benefit to clients through its holistic and multi-disciplinary approach…by engaging with all parties we can provide the best solution to stakeholder requirements.”Andy KeelinGroup Director, Buro Happold

5At Buro Happold we believe that good design emerges from positive collaboration, so we work in

partnership with clients, architects and other members of our design team, sharing information and

contributing to problem solving. We identify client aspirations early on in the design process – by

establishing levels of performance required of the structure and systems we can advise on the most

appropriate and economical procurement routes. Our close involvement with the whole design

team means we can incorporate high levels of buildability and workmanship into our specifications,

while encouraging the use of materials from sustainable sources.

By working holistically and identifying any potential challenges in advance, our engineers are able to add value to all areas of the design and ensure that the student and staff experience of the higher education environment is a positive one for all user groups. Our aim is to go beyond legal compliance and help clients with responsibilities for estates and facilities to be better informed about effective practice in areas such as energy performance, flexible construction and carbon management.

When working with universities we strive to make engineering more understandable to all the parties involved, explaining how innovative technologies and design solutions could work for them. With our wealth of experience to draw on, we are able to provide valuable insights into how to create modern, flexible HE environments that are fit for the 21st century.

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Building relationships through constructive engagement is central to Buro Happold’s approach - we always aim to present an integrated solution, engaging both across the disciplines and with the university estate. In this way it is possible to challenge, debate and share information to achieve the right solution to meet the needs of clients and stakeholders.

CASE STUDY:

The large number of stakeholders involved on the University of Sheffield AMRC project meant that it was vital to work to a clear delivery strategy to ensure that all of the different requirements were met. With 10% of the project budget set aside for sustainable technologies, the design team ran a design workshop with all of the stakeholders – around 80 people in total – to gain a clear understanding of their expectations. This allowed our engineers to incorporate the client’s aspirations and ideas into the building design at the beginning of the project, ensuring a successful result.

A similar approach was adopted on the Napier University Sighthill Campus project. If an engineering concern arose with the scheme, the design team would put together a design paper to identify the key issues and recommend solutions for the client. This helped the client to have a better understanding of each element of the project, enabling the team to fully demonstrate our solutions before arriving at the final design.

Working in Partnership

Working with stakeholders and clientsWorking in Partnership

Multi-disciplinary approach

Buro Happold’s integrated, multi-disciplinary teams are highly skilled in providing a wide variety of structural, environmental and infrastructure solutions tailored to individual clients’ needs. In addition to our core engineering disciplines, we also provide a wide range of specialist consultancy services, enabling us to further optimise and add value to the design process.

CASE STUDY:

With 18 different specialist disciplines involved in the project, our work on the Exeter University Forum illustrates how multi-disciplinary working can benefit building design. A particular consideration is to find a compromise between achieving the aesthetic appeal that is required by the architect and providing a functional building that meets performance targets. We worked in partnership with the whole design team and the client to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Our teams worked with detailed models and diagrams provided by the architect along with cutting-edge modelling software to assess how each area of the Forum will perform. The auditorium has

been analysed using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package Flovent – software that predicts 3D airflow, heat transfer and contamination distribution – to ensure that the displacement ventilation strategy can maintain comfortable conditions at all times. Our acoustics team use an innovative auralisation analysis technique to assess and demonstrate the sound penetration from the auditorium, Great Hall concert space and the effect of rain on the grid shell roof. This work influenced a change in the roof design, which now uses a combination of timber panels, ETFE and glass.

Section of roof design

at the Exeter University

Forum, UK

Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), University of Sheffield, UK

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LocationsNational Coverage

The practice has the ability to cover the higher education sector nationally through strong bases across the country. Each office has a high degree of experience in education projects, and regular workshops across the practice ensure that our class-leading approach is shared between all designers, maximising value and keeping us at the forefront of higher education design.

Region locations Key contact Contact details

Education Sector Director Neil Squibbs neil.squibbs@burohappold.com

Bath and the South Dr. Mike Entwisle mike.entwisle@burohappold.com

London and the South East Angus Palmer angus.palmer@burohappold.com

Midlands and the North Simon Wainwright simon.wainwright@burohappold.com

Scotland and Ireland Rod Manson rod.manson@burohappold.com

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We are in regular contact with members of AUDE, AVE, HEFCE and the DCSF and look to influence policy andpractice wherever possible.

“We look at the culture of the organisation and influence change so the end user can operate their buildings more effectively – just because things have always been done one way, doesn’t mean it’s the only way.

We challenge assumptions.”Alan HutchinsFacilities Management Team, Buro Happold

University of Salford, Faculty of Law, Salford, UK

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Industry RecognitionAwards – Education sector

The Civic Trust Awards

2009 Winner: Samworth Enterprise Academy

2008 Commended: Hazelwood School

Commended: West London Academy

Commended: Haberdashers’ Aske’s Knights Academy

2006 Commended: Imperial College Faculty Building

2005 Winner: Michael A Ashcroft Building, Anglia Polytechnic University

Winner: Open University New Library Building

2003 Commended: West Downs Centre, King Alfred’s College

IStructE Awards

2008 Award for Education or Healthcare Structures: Thomas Deacon Academy

RIBA Awards

2009 National Award: St Mary Magdalene Academy

Regional Award: Minster School

Regional Award: St Mary Magdalene Academy

2008 Regional Award: Samworth Enterprise Academy

Regional Award: Sanger Building, Bryanston School

Regional Award: Bristol Brunel Academy

Regional Award: National Film and Television School

Regional Award: Thomas Deacon Academy

Regional Award: Bristol Brunel Academy

Sustainability Award: Bristol Brunel Academy

The RIBA Sorrell Foundation Schools Award: Shortlisted: Bristol Brunel Academy Shortlisted: Thomas Deacon Academy

2007 European Award: Alsion Campus, Syddansk University, Denmark

Regional Award: Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art

Regional Award: Marlowe Academy

2006 Regional Award: Northampton Academy

Regional Award: Senior Common Room, St John’s College, Oxford

CIBSE Awards

2006 Winner: Project of the year: The Core, Eden Project

British Construction Industry Awards

2003 Award for Innovation: The Royal Ballet School ‘Bridge of Inspiration’

Major Project Award: Cambridge University Mathematical Sciences Centre

ACE Engineering Excellence Awards

2008 Commendation: Low Carbon Technology Category: AMRC, University of Sheffield

Other Awards

2008 Winner: South West Built Environment Awards (Constructing Excellence) Value Award and Project of the Year: Threeways School

Winner: South West Built Environment Awards (Constructing Excellence) Sustainability Award: Bristol BSF

Winner: South Yorkshire and Humberside Built in Quality Awards – Best Commercial Building: AMRC, University of Sheffield

Winner: RIAI Irish Architecture Awards: Cork School of Music

Commended: Scottish Design Awards – Public Building: Hazelwood School

2006 Winner: H&V News Awards: The Core, Eden Project

Winner: The Concrete Centre Award for Sustainability: Queen Margaret University

2005 Highly Commended: Fire Industry Confederation Awards: Thomas Deacon Academy

2004 Winner: Quality in Construction Awards – Project of the Year (medium-sized): Bexley Business Academy

2003 Winner: Jeu D’Espirit Award: Cambridge University Mathematical Sciences Centre

Winner: The Public Private Finance Awards – Best Education Project above £20m: Ealing Schools PFI

Winner: Architectural Association of Ireland Annual Awards: Urban Institute, Ireland

Our ServicesMulti-disciplinary

Buro Happold is an integrated multi-disciplinaryengineering and strategic consultancy for the builtenvironment. Whether appointed to provide a singleservice or complete multi-disciplinary solutions, we combine creativity with solid technical skills and an awareness of the key drivers that shape projects in the higher education sector.

Building Engineering

• Structural engineering

• Building services engineering (mechanical, electrical, plumbing and environmental design)

• Specialist consultancy (acoustics, audio-visual, IT, security, building systems integration)

• CoSA Solutions (computational simulation and analysis)

• Inclusive Design consultancy

• Engineering sustainability

• Facade engineering

• Fire engineering

• Ground engineering and remediation

• Lighting technologies

• Lightweight and long span structures

• Public health engineering

• Site infrastructure development

Environmental Consultancy

• Contaminated land assessment and remediation management

• Emissions modelling

• Energy and energy efficiency

• Environmental statement, including environmental impact assessment (EIA)

• Geoenvironmental engineering

• Sustainability assessment

• Transport assessment report, including traffic impact assessment (TIA)

Infrastructure, Transport and Urban Development

• Infrastructure design

• Traffic and highways

• Transportation planning consultancy

• Urban design and planning

• Urban regeneration and development

Management

• Design management

• Facilities management

• Health and safety

• Planning supervision

• Project team management

• Site management

• Site supervision

• Total cost management

• Whole life costing

Open University Jennie Lee Building, Milton Keynes, UK

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Photography Credits

We would like to thank the companies and photographers that have kindly allowed us to reproduce their images, visualisations and diagrams within this document and, in doing so we acknowledge that all rights belong to the owners.

October/0954

Page 54 (clockwise, from top left): Alsion Campus, Syddansk University Science and Technology Park, Sonderborg, Denmark Institute of Criminology, Cambridge University, UKExeter University Forum, UK Napier University’s new Sighthill campus, Edinburgh, UK Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), University of Sheffield, UK Experimental Media and Performing Arts Centre (EMPAC), Troy, New York, USA

Page 55 (clockwise, from top left): Combined Universities in Cornwall, Falmouth, UK Open University Jennie Lee Building, Milton Keynes, UKQueen Margaret University, Edinburgh, UK Imperial College Business School, London University of Dundee Library Extension, UK

Structural Engineering Building Services / MEP EngineeringGround Engineering Infrastructure Engineering Specialist Consulting

www.burohappold.com

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Tel: 01225 320 600 Contact: Neil Squibbs, Education Sector Director Tel: 01225 320 646Email: neil.squibbs@burohappold.com