Sept 2025 • £8 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Window blinds Weather and screening louvres at the University of Huddersfield Lifts Step-free access for Abertay University’s cyberQuarter building Lighting MTU Kerry lowers external energy consumption and costs by over 50% Modernising an ancient seat of learning Stanton Williams’ new social and residential facilities at Emmanuel College, Cambridge highereducationestates
// Monitoring of room environmental conditions // Direct-to-Room communication // Nudges to affect influence behaviour // Estate, block, floor, flat, and room reporting // Building, block, floor, flat, room and circuit metering // Estate/Peer Benchmarking // Maintenance scheduling // Precise locating of issues // Individual room temperature monitoring and CONTROL. The all-new ControlSensor The multi-sensor that gives CONTROL prefectcontrols.com ControlSensor+irusecosystem Control. Visibility. Intelligence. Control+ Behavioural change Message individual rooms and encourage more mindful engagement with resources inspiring a reduction in wastage. Control+ Benchmarking With 75,000 controls over 150 sites Irus has more multioccupancy data than anyone other system. Benchmark against your sites or the entire Irus estate. Control+ Operational efficiency Data interrogation and reporting software tools inform how building services are performing and suggests . Control+ Visibility Each room has a ControlSensor communicating with the portal - e.g. supplementary heaters, rooms with humidity issues, or etc. Control+ Communication Direct-to-room messaging provides an unobtrusive communication tool. E.g. Parcel deliveries, Control+ Intelligence Information and data without action is just noise! Irus analyses data and suggests remedial actions to SpaceHeat WaterSense UtilityMeter SmartTank LeakDetect HobSensus Vacant Find out how Irus halved the heating load at a student site in year 1.
highereducationestates 3 leader University cost pressures will force change in the terms of business AN important document has just been published by Universities UK which will act as a blueprint for how the sector can maintain the highest academic standards in the face of relentless financial pressures. The report, “Towards a New Era of Collaboration” is the result of work initiated by Universities UK and led by independent Chair Sir Nigel Carrington. It calls for a fundamental shift in thinking, with a much greater focus on how universities across the UK can work together, share services and assets, and collaborate in the national interest. The report identifies seven key opportunities for transformation, amongst which is the exploration of novel collaborative structures between institutions. At one end of the spectrum this could extend to mergers, but the report is also clear that this is unlikely to be a workable or desirable solution in most cases. Instead, the Taskforce outlines other options for strategic, proactive collaborations which continue to preserve competition. This could take the form of federations, group structures between aligned or geographically linked institutions, or partnerships on certain functions and disciplines. Beyond calling for more collaborative structures, the Taskforce has set out a series of other opportunities that would help universities drive even greater efficiencies. These include sharing more services and infrastructure, using economies of scale and sector buying power, supporting digital transformation and adopting a common approach to assessing efficiency and benchmarking costs. These are important signals for the designers, contractors and suppliers who rely on universities for maintaining healthy order books. Fees and project costs will come under even greater scrutiny by university estates managers as they try to cope with what Universities UK describes as “years of frozen income on teaching and research, high inflation and a drop in international students following government policy changes which have left university finances in serious distress.” A recent survey of its members by Universities UK revealed that 60% of institutions have scaled back on repairs and maintenance to existing facilities (up from 49% last year) and 89% said they may need to do so over the next three years. The universities sector has been good for built environment operators over the past decade or so. If the sector is to remain a reliable and valuable client in the years ahead, those who design and build for it will need to find innovative ways to cut costs while still continuing to deliver the highest quality buildings. Editor Andrew Pring Head of sales Julian Walter Media sales manager Terry Stafford Production Nicola Cann Design Sandra Leal Cid Managing director Toby Filby The publishers do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors and cannot accept responsibility for claims made by manufacturers and authors, nor do they accept any responsibility for any errors in the subject matter of this publication. Publishers Stable Publishing Limited, SBC House, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH, England. t. 020 8288 1080 f. 020 8288 1099 e. sales@educationdab.co.uk Modernising an ancient seat of learning Stanton Williams’ new social and residential facilities at Emmanuel College, Cambridge have transformed the college, helping promote interaction, collaboration and sociability. Story page 10-11 Andrew Pring Editor andrew@stable-media.co.uk
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highereducationestates 5 inside this issue September 2025 7 News Henry Boot Construction is delivering a £10m restoration of the Grade II-listed Ramsden Building at the University of Huddersfield. 10 Design Solutions Stanton Williams’ new social and residential facilities at Emmanuel College, Cambridge have transformed the college, helping promote interaction, collaboration and sociability. 14 Fabric first The principle and value of the Fabric first approach to upgrading existing buildings is explained by the overcladding specialist design build facades. 16 Sports The University of Nottingham is set to further strengthen its para and inclusive sport offerings, thanks to the launch of a partnership with leading Midland’s construction firm GF Tomlinson. 17 Lighting/ Audio-visual Thorn Lighting's exterior luminaires reduce Munster Technological University Kerry's (MTUK) external energy consumption and costs; and Sheffield Hallam University has chosen Sony BRAVIA 4K Professional Displays for its new development at their City Campus. 18 Lifts Abertay University is introducing step-free access across all five floors of the cyberQuarter building, using Stannah lifts. 20 Louvres Kingfisher Louvres has supplied a comprehensive package of weather and screening louvres for the striking new Daphne Steele Building at the University of Huddersfield. 22 M&E Russell Pritchard, UK Sales Manager at Central Power Services, explains why university estate managers and student accommodation providers need to prepare for seasonal power outages. “It’s fantastic to be on site collaborating with University of Warwick to deliver this refurbishment of Claycroft Residences - students need space to study, relax, and catch up with friends, and we’re proud that our plans for this development will create a warm, welcoming environment for students to call home during their studies,” says Richard Fielding, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Midlands. p19
THE University of Manchester has been ranked in first place in the UK and Europe and second in the world for benefitting society and the environment by Times Higher Education for the third year running. The University’s commitment to addressing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has made it the only university in the world to rank in the top ten for social and environmental impact in all seven years of the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. The 17 SDGs are the world’s call to action on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing humanity and the natural world, and the ranking system assesses universities’ commitment to sustainability across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. Dr Julian Skyrme, Executive Director of Social Responsibility and Civic Engagement at The University of Manchester, who leads the institution’s entry to the ranking, said: “Each year, we submit a wealth of evidence demonstrating how we embed social responsibility across all areas of our work—from sustainability and cultural engagement to research impact, widening participation and the student experience. This continued recognition highlights the dedication of our entire University community to making a positive difference locally and globally.” The University has also directly addressed the energy impact of its campus in a landmark deal to see up to 65% of its electricity demand supplied via a new renewable project. In support of SDG7 – Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, the University is building a 104,000 solar panel farm to generate green energy and also create a significant biodiversity enhancement to previously low-grade farmland. Manchester tops UK sustainability rankings ENGINEERING consultancy Rodgers Leask has been appointed to Aston University’s new Estates Consultancy Framework as one of two firms within the civil and structural engineering group. The four-year framework, running until 2029, will support the university in delivering projects across its estate ranging from £50k to £30m in value. Using its multi-disciplinary engineering expertise, Rodgers Leask is aiming to increase its growing presence in the higher education sector. Aston University will use the framework to bring in suppliers for new build, refurbishment, reconfiguration and extension projects, with its current strategy stating an intention to invest £240m over 10 years to deliver its sustainable campus vision. Paul Spencer, managing director at Rodgers Leask, said: “This appointment is an important step forward in our ambitions to complete more work in the higher education sector. Aston University’s vision is very exciting for its students and the wider region, and we are confident we can help bring it to life through the knowledge possessed by our talented engineers. Our experience in renovation and refurbishment will be especially helpful as the university continues to identify opportunities to improve its constrained, city centre site. We’re very familiar with the limitations presented by working on a live site, so our priority will be implementing the most innovative engineering solutions possible.” Rodgers Leask’s appointment to Aston University’s Estates Consultancy Framework follows a similar recent success in the North West, where it was awarded a place on Cumbria University’s Estates Multi Lot Consultancy Framework. The national engineering consultancy’s higher education experience also includes major projects with Derby University and Swansea University, which comprises a mix of new build, refurbishment and extension projects. Also on Aston’s framework is the consultancy Ridge. Rodgers Leask joins Aston University’s estates framework 6 highereducationestates news
AECOM has been appointed as a lead partner to deliver major real estate projects across the University of Glasgow’s estate. The University’s Lead Advisor Framework, which will run for the next four years, will see AECOM provide multidisciplinary technical expertise to design, build and refurbish buildings across its campuses. AECOM has been an advisor since 2017, having first worked with the University on its Western Campus Masterplan between 2015 and 2017. As a lead advisor, AECOM will be responsible for leading projects and supporting the University with high-quality, sustainable designs that align with its long-term strategic vision and £1.8 billion investment programme. The University of Glasgow’s ongoing investment in its estate, through restoring historic buildings and developing new facilities, will create an outstanding environment for world-changing research, learning and teaching. AECOM will also lead the development of a climate-neutral estate for the University, supporting its drive to achieve Net Zero by 2030. Ariana Capaldi, regional director – design management at AECOM in Glasgow, said: “We are proud to continue our partnership with the University of Glasgow. We’ve worked closely with the University to shape its estate over the past decade, delivering innovative, futureready spaces that support its world-class teaching and research.” David Hall, Director of Projects at the University of Glasgow, stated: “AECOM has been a trusted partner over the past decade, working with us to help create a truly remarkable campus that supports our core academic mission. We look forward to continuing this partnership as we move into the next phase of development.” HENRY Boot Construction is delivering a £10m restoration of the Grade II-listed Ramsden Building at the University of Huddersfield. Located on Queensgate in the heart of Huddersfield town centre, the Ramsden Building is one of the University's most cherished and architecturally significant buildings. Opened in 1883 by the Duke of Somerset, the building was the first purpose-built educational facility on the University's campus. It was designed by architect Edward Hughes and is a flagship example of the Gothic Revival movement. Its façade is distinguished by four lions holding shields and prominent local industrialists, Sir Thomas Brooke and Sir John William Ramsden. The restoration will solely focus on internal works, preserving and celebrating the building’s original features – including hidden cornicing, an ornate staircase and wooden wall panelling – while ensuring it meets modern academic and sustainability standards. The project will also involve a complete overhaul of the building’s mechanical and electrical systems, including the installation of new air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) within the central courtyard to provide sustainable heating. A retrospective mezzanine level will be removed, restoring a stunning double-height space to be used for events. Upon completion, the ground floor will house the University’s International Study Centre, while the two upper floors will provide space for post-graduate research, offices and computer labs. The restoration of the building is underway, with project completion set for early 2026. Professor Tim Thornton, Deputy ViceChancellor at the University of Huddersfield, said: “Our vision is ‘to be an inspiring, innovative university of international renown,’ and these essential restoration works will be instrumental in helping us achieve this.” Lee Powell, Managing Director of Henry Boot Construction, added: “We are delighted to be tasked with restoring the stunning Ramsden Building to modern standards while preserving its rich heritage. Once completed, it will be an inspiring space for learning and work, and it will continue to be a key part of the University’s architectural fabric for many years to come.” GSS Architecture have been key partners in the design and planning of the refurbishment, alongside M&E consultants Buro Happold and structural engineers Curtins. Henry Boot Construction wins £10m project at Huddersfield AECOM appointed to help Glasgow’s campus investment programme highereducationestates 7 news
MORGAN Sindall Construction has officially commenced works to renovate the three accommodation blocks of Claycroft Residences at the University of Warwick - one of the largest banks of accommodation on the University's main campus in Coventry. The 17,000sqm development comprises three individual accommodation blocks, providing 679 bedrooms arranged into eight-person flats. The scheme will look to breathe new life into the halls, built between 1994 and 1997, providing students with modern, high-quality living facilities. Internally, all bathrooms will be extensively redecorated with completely new flooring, sanitaryware and decoration and all bedrooms will be modernised with a painted feature wall. Communal areas will benefit from new vinyl tile flooring and new metal suspended ceilings to enhance aesthetics and durability. The laundrette in Claycroft 1 will be remodelled to include an accessible dryer, with the layout extended into the adjacent staff office to create additional usable space. The scope of works, which took 14 months to design and plan, includes replacement of the existing roof coverings along with a general upgrade of the buildings to continue to comply with safety standards. This will involve a full rewire and the renewal of all fire safety systems. To reduce disruption and maintain a safe living and learning environment, Morgan Sindall have worked closely with the University of Warwick to align the works with the academic calendar. Construction will be delivered in three phases - with one block being redeveloped at a time - from July 2025 to September 2026. This approach will enable two buildings to remain in use at all times, allowing students to safely relocate between blocks during the academic year. Renovation of the first building, housing 266 bedrooms, is due for completion in November, in what will represent another celebration for the University in its 60th anniversary year. The project was procured via SCAPE Venture - a framework specifically designed for privately funded projects across consultancy, civil engineering and construction. A key benefit of this procurement route was the ability for us to provide early, invaluable input on buildability, cost planning, programme alignment, and logistics during the preconstruction phase. By working collaboratively from the outset, all stakeholders were able to successfully create a delivery programme that not only aligned with the University's objectives, but also allowed the project to progress smoothly through preconstruction and commence on site within the planned schedule. Richard Fielding, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Midlands, said: “It’s fantastic to be on site collaborating with University of Warwick to deliver this refurbishment of Claycroft Residences. Students need space to study, relax, and catch up with friends, and we’re proud that our plans for this development will create a warm, welcoming environment for students to call home during their studies.” Sioned Cash, Interim Director of Accommodation for the University of Warwick, said: “I’m very pleased that work will be starting next week on this exciting redevelopment project. This investment demonstrates the University of Warwick’s continued commitment to enhancing the student experience through high-quality accommodation. We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Morgan Sindall to deliver modern, comfortable living spaces that meet the evolving needs of our students.” Mark Robinson, Group Chief Executive at SCAPE, said: “With student demand for accommodation on the rise, this project is both timely and essential. It will deliver a high-quality living environment that benefits hundreds of students now and into the future. Through the SCAPE Venture framework, we’ll work closely with Morgan Sindall to accelerate delivery and embed social value initiatives, ensuring this is a project that delivers real value and long-term community benefits.” www.morgansindall.com Morgan Sindall starts major redevelopment at the University of Warwick highereducationestates 9 project news
Modernising an ancient seat of learning SET within the historic heart of the Cambridge Central Conservation Area, the £21m, 5,770sqm scheme is Emmanuel College’s most significant development in over 100 years, providing residential, study and social accommodation linked by a network of landscaped courts and passageways designed to support communal life. Cambridge's rapid growth in recent decades has challenged the old model of learning, in which students and scholars from different academic disciplines come together around the rituals of shared collegial life. As the city and university has expanded well beyond its historic boundaries, with new laboratories, research and teaching facilities built at increasing distances from the collegiate centre, the opportunities for students and researchers to meet and interact with each other on a daily basis have become more limited. Emmanuel’s new development is a response to this evolving context, making a significant step towards the College’s ambition to accommodate all undergraduate students onsite and ensuring that its historic campus continues to nurture communal life, providing spaces which bring the community together and support collaboration, interaction and the exchange of ideas. The scheme delivers a complex network of new and existing buildings and courts, accommodation and social spaces, all designed to support the evolving life of the community. It creates 48 new student bedrooms and an accessible fellow’s suite across four buildings, and includes the refurbishment and extension of the Grade II listed Furness Lodge to provide enhanced teaching and social facilities, including new seminar rooms, an event space, music practice rooms and a new student bar. Dr Sarah Bendall, Development Director, Emmanuel College says: “Finding answers to complex global challenges depends on our ability to bring people together across subjects, disciplines and backgrounds. This project does just that, enabling us to host new programmes, to accommodate the majority of our undergraduate students on the main site, and to welcome postdoctoral researchers to Emmanuel.” Conceived as a dialogue between old and new, the new facilities knit together existing spaces while adding a new layer to the historic evolution of Emmanuel’s 400-year-old collegiate setting. Mediating between the College’s historic courts and the domestic scale of the Georgian terraces and villas of Park Terrace, the design responds to its context by creating a network of more intimate gardens and courtyards and, through the use of softred brickwork, references the materiality of the more modest collegiate buildings, and the neighbouring domestic buildings. Gavin Henderson, Principal Director, Stanton Williams says: “At its heart the scheme is about the spaces between buildings: a network of courts and passages, incorporating new additions and listed structures, which support sociability and provide a focus for communal life.” A new 150sqm Social Hub replaces the old student bar and service areas, which had reached the end of their serviceable life. Approached from the College’s entrance through Front Court and Chapman’s Gardens, this single storey pavilion links two existing student accommodation buildings and provides a light and inviting café-style setting for social learning. A wide-span glulam structure enables the space to be column- free and easily adaptable to accommodate the College’s evolving needs. Fully glazed walls provide generous views of Chapman’s Gardens to the north and the newly landscaped South Court to the south, allowing activity to break out into the adjacent areas. A new residential accommodation known as Young’s Court, provides 48 student rooms and an additional fellow’s set. Clad in a brick with precast concrete lintels and cills, the new residential accommodation rises three storeys with staircases accessed from a communal court. A strongly articulated street frontage mediates between the city outside and the sheltered collegiate environment within. Stanton Williams’ new social and residential facilities at Emmanuel College, Cambridge have transformed the college, helping promote interaction, collaboration and sociability 10 highereducationestates design solutions
The Grade II listed Furness Lodge has been refurbished and extended. Sitting adjacent to Young’s Court, this Georgian villa has been transformed to provide fully accessible teaching spaces, accommodation, a new Middle Common Room for graduate students, a new double-height bar and a basement events space. The project promotes student wellbeing by prioritising the provision of informal study settings and improved social areas. In doing so, the Young’s Court development enables the community to mix, work and gather in new ways. The less formal character of these new spaces, which serve all the College members, reflects changing student ways of working as well as the informality of Emmanuel’s friendly and inclusive community. To promote longevity, the project adopted a fabric-first approach, incorporating high levels of insulation, airtight construction and passive design measures. Existing structures such as Furness Lodge and South Court have been retained and enhanced, while durable materials, such as brickwork and concrete, have been selected for the new buildings. An emphasis was placed on promoting wellbeing and the quality of the collegiate environment. On-site car parking was reduced by 55%, with the remaining parking accommodated below ground, enabling the provision of over 100 new cycle parking spaces and the replacement of surface car parking across a large area of the development with high quality landscaping. www.stantonwilliams.com/en highereducationestates 11 design solutions
THE newly built small animal clinical teaching building at the University of Nottingham’s Sutton Bonnington Campus is now in full operation, allowing the university to double its intake for related courses. Called the Sir Peter Rubin Centre for Veterinary Education, the detached single storey facility has been designed by Nottingham-based architecture practice CPMG. The £3m project showcases standout elements including glulam framing to support the university's net zero carbon strategy – keeping embodied carbon to a minimum through the choice of engineered wood beams. In a bid to support the university's aim of bridging the skills gap currently facing the veterinary industry, the state-of-the-art facility includes a full practice, space for general teaching, along with spaces for both small animals and larger livestock. Additional expert design considerations include an increased focus on hygiene throughout, due to the animal and veterinary care activity the space is set to be used for. Alex Walker, associate and project lead at CPMG said: “Seeing this project come to fruition, with the facility now finalised and ready for the next intake of students, is incredibly rewarding as a Nottinghambased business. Following our appointment in March 2021, we’ve continued to grow our relationship with the university, working closely in reliable and timely manner to ensure the finalised practice is fit for purpose, made even harder during times such as the pandemic.” “Utilising both the internal and external design, it’s great to see how this building is already at home next to the other facilities across the campus. The final result truly showcases some of the best elements of architecture, adaptability and project management, and it is a notch in our belt that we are very proud of at CPMG, as we continue to demonstrate our expertise in the private sector and education sector.” The finalised project has achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’, as well as exceeding RIBA’s targets for embodied and operational carbon. After a nomination, the project was shortlisted within the public sector category for the RICS Awards. Professor Gary England, Foundation Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University of Nottingham, said: “We are delighted that the Sir Peter Rubin Centre for Veterinary Medicine is complete. This facility will enable us to further provide state-of-theart facilities to our ever-growing number of students. This new space is also another step towards helping us to fulfill our ambition in bridging the postgraduate skills gap currently facing the veterinary sector across the UK.” Alongside CPMG, the project team included main contractor RG Carter, structural and MEP engineers Arup and landscape architects, Ares Landscape Architects. www.cpmg-architects.com Nottingham’s veterinary centre up and running highereducationestates 13 net zero design
BUILDINGS are responsible for 30% of the UK’s carbon emissions of which the overwhelming majority arise from heating energy consumption. There remain many legacy buildings in higher education estates which have undergone significant internal improvements over the years but retain their original external building fabric resulting in considerable heat loss through the building envelope. Addressing heating energy consumption should be a key goal in meeting carbon reduction commitments across all higher education estates. Environmental performance and sustainability of the built estate have come into sharp focus in recognition of their impact on climate change and institutions recognise that a portfolio of interventional measures is required. While Solar PV and LED lighting are useful tools, to make direct carbon savings one has to incorporate low carbon heating measures such as heat pumps and improved thermal efficiency of the buildings. Clearly the benefits to be derived from alternative heating systems cannot be fully realised without first ensuring that the building envelope minimises existing losses, hence the phrase ‘fabric first’, a whole building approach which should be adopted from the outset. Fabric first means upgrading the existing building fabric to make it work as hard and as efficiently as it can before considering changes to the heating system and other building services engineering solutions. The obvious way to achieve this is through overcladding, in effect applying a giant tea cosey over the existing building. Replacing windows alone constrains potential savings severely so fabric upgrades need to consider the whole building envelope. design build facades claims to be the UK’s market-leading design build overcladding specialist in the HE/FE sector. A spokesman commented: “Our system is empirically proven to deliver heating energy savings of more than 70% with associated savings in operational carbon emissions. Cumulatively this adds up to many tonnes of carbon saved per building over the 60year design life of the system. “Capital budgets are under considerable strain so all investment in decarbonisation needs to be evaluated carefully. The business case for external refurbishment is overwhelming, delivering immediate carbon benefits and capital payback in as little as 10 years from heating energy savings alone.” design build facades carried out a major project at Wiltshire College & University Centre’s main campus in Salisbury. Typical of its 1970s period, it was thermally inefficient consuming large amounts of heating energy and was visually unattractive. Adopting a fabric first approach, design build facades was appointed to overclad the existing building using its insulated aluminium rainscreen system with integrated high performance replacement windows. The works were completed in two phases, aligning with the College securing grant funding. The project was very successful with heating energy consumption and operational carbon emissions dramatically reduced and the aesthetic transformed. Commenting on the project, a spokesperson for the Estates Team at Wiltshire College & University Centre said: “design build facades originally overclad the roadside elevations of our Salisbury campus buildings so we were delighted, through a capital transformation fund opportunity, to renew acquaintances and invite them back to finish the job. “As well as completing the aesthetic uplift of the campus, the installation of new insulated cladding panels and triple glazed window units to the remaining building elevations has reduced our heating requirement creating a significant reduction in our energy consumption and overall carbon footprint. Since the cladding has been installed we have reduced our heating timetable from 12 hrs on and 12 hrs off to two hours in the morning and two more over the course of the day saving us 40 hrs a week on the heating bill. A huge saving.” www.dbfacades.com Fabric first - delivering direct carbon savings 14 highereducationestates fabric first
THE University of Nottingham is set to further strengthen its para and inclusive sport offerings, thanks to the launch of a partnership with leading Midland’s construction firm, G F Tomlinson. The long-term collaboration will enable the growth and development of the university’s para and inclusive sport offers. This forms a key step in the university’s overarching vision to be the sector leader in ensuring equity of opportunity for the whole of the university’s community. The new partnership will enable a range of initiatives to be implemented including increased Para athlete recruitment; growth of the BUCS Championship winning Wheelchair Basketball Team; increased numbers of students accessing the disability sport and fitness membership; and wider support to help the University Sports clubs grow their inclusive sport offer. G F Tomlinson has a long history working with the university, designing and building key facilities across its awardwinning campuses. The Midlands contractor incorporates the latest inclusive design practices, and this partnership showcases Tomlinson’s commitment to delivering life- changing social value within their projects. The university’s para-athletes and teams will work closely with G F Tomlinson to help drive new standards for inclusive design and build in the sector. Through consultation, training and experiential events this will further enhance G F Tomlinson’s status as one of the leading organisations for inclusive design and build. Students will further benefit from this partnership with new year in industry placements and degree apprenticeship pathways being created with G F Tomlinson. Jo Simpson, Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We want to be known as the sector leader for Para and inclusive sport. This new partnership is an exciting part of our journey to achieve this vision. Para sport has the ability to truly change lives and Tomlinson’s support to enable this strategy showcases their value led approach in all that they do. “This is a sector defining moment and one which will become the catalyst for an even more inclusive environment on our campuses and across the sector. It is a true showcase of how our partners can work with us to create a global leading vision and impact.” Andy Sewards, Chairman, G F Tomlinson said: “We are thrilled to be working with the university to further develop our expertise in inclusive design and build. The synergy we share is incredible, and we are proud to help develop a more inclusive campus environment alongside supporting the university community to thrive. “I have been incredibly inspired by the athletes I have met and the ambition of the university. I am so excited to see where this journey takes us all and we can’t wait to see Nottingham’s paraathletes competing on the world stage and more people than ever involved in the university’s sport programmes.” Professor Katherine Linehan, Pro-Vice Chancellor Education and Student Experience, added: “This new partnership with G F Tomlinson’s is ground-breaking. It allows us to work together to further drive new inclusive standards in both the construction and higher education sectors. “This collaboration facilitates the university’s commitment to become an organisation that is truly inclusive by design. It allows us to build on the strong foundation the inclusive sport team at the university have established to ensure that both recreational and professional sports opportunities are open to our whole community”. www.gftomlinson.co.uk Nottingham aims to become leading para sports university 16 highereducationestates sports
THORN Lighting's exterior luminaires have reduced Munster Technological University Kerry's (MTUK) external energy consumption and costs by over 50%, creating a warmer and more inviting ambience on campus. After the successful interior and emergency lighting upgrade as part of its Building and Estates Energy Projects, MTUK sought to upgrade the existing street and building surround lighting. The university's Green Campus Mission prioritises environmental considerations, aiming to identify, advance, and promote its Green Agenda with the ultimate goal of minimising its environmental impact. The objective of the exterior lighting upgrade was twofold: to decrease energy consumption and carbon footprint while enhancing lighting aesthetics, utilising a 3000K colour temperature for car park lighting and 4000K against the buildings. A balanced blend of functional and decorative lighting elements was employed. The Dark Sky-approved 3000K Isaro Pro state-of-the-art streetlights in the car parks deliver exceptional efficiency and minimise the impact of artificial light on the environment, aligning precisely with MTUK's project objectives. Incorporating decorative D-CO LED luminaires such as Piazza, Eyekon, Katona, and Leo, meticulously designed for energy efficiency, has allowed the university to make significant strides toward reducing its environmental footprint while adding visual interest and safety enhancements to the buildings. Strategic lighting temperature selections have optimised visibility and ambience campus-wide. By combining 3000K for car park lighting and 4000K for building surrounds, MTUK has cultivated a warm, inviting atmosphere conducive to fostering a sense of community and engagement among students, staff, and local visitors. Thorn Lighting's LED luminaires have delivered remarkable results, halving annual external energy consumption from 105,308 kWh to 53,106 kWh and reducing CO2 emissions from 35,561 kg to 17,163 kg. Payback period is just over four years. www.thornlighting.co.uk/engb/products/ou tdoor-lighting Illuminating a greener campus for a brighter future New AV displays for Sheffield Hallam’s City Campus SHEFFIELD Hallam University has chosen Sony BRAVIA 4K Professional Displays for its new development at their City Campus. Following a review, leading integrator Roche AV was chosen to give the university’s new buildings an audio-visual solution that was more in-line with the university’s reputation as a modern and award-winning establishment. Roche AV achieved this on a visual front by utilising 226 BRAVIA displays, a mix from BZ30J, BZ40H and BZ50L series. “The versatility offered by BRAVIA Professional Displays combined with their highest-quality imagery made Sony the clear choice for this installation” commented Craig Pickard, Operations Director at Roche AV. “From the in-built signage solution to the wall-mount adjuster that comes with each display, using Sony BRAVIA for this installation made this large-scale job a near seamless task”. Spanning across three brand new teaching blocks, comprised of meeting spaces, classrooms, divisible spaces, immersive rooms and trading floors, it was vital that the AV solution for this project had to be hassle-free as possible. Thanks to the on-board BRAVIA Signage Free software that automatically plays out high-quality content by simply utilising a USB, making installation straightforward. “As an award-winning university that has a reputation for its world-leading facilities, we are beyond-thrilled that Sheffield Hallam University has utilised Sony’s BRAVIA displays,” commented Adam Dover, Senior Trade and Segment Marketing Manager for Sony Europe.“ www.sony.net www.rocheavpro.co.uk highereducationestates 17 interiors
ABERTAY University has had step-free access installed across all five floors of its cyberQuarter building. The lift retrofit and installation was awarded to Stannah, which had secured first place in the APUC framework. Located in Dundee, the university (formerly known as the University of Abertay Dundee) has a cutting-edge £18m cybersecurity research and development centre called the cyberQuarter, which studies global cybersecurity challenges. The existing lift in the building had become increasingly unreliable, with frequent breakdowns and maintenance issues that disrupted operations. This highlighted the need for a modernised lift system that could ensure consistent performance and compliance with current safety standards. After a thorough evaluation by Stannah, it was clear that the best solution was to completely replace the old lift with a new, Stannah Machine Room-Less (MRL) traction lift. This type of lift not only meets all necessary safety standards but also provides enhanced efficiency and reliability, making it an ideal choice for the university. Stannah was responsible for the entire design process of the new lift, ensuring it was tailored to the building specifications and client’s needs. They also managed all on-site works, overseeing the removal of the old lift and the installation of the new MRL traction lift. This project involved the complex task of removing the existing and installing a new lift system while the building remained a live teaching environment. An additional challenge was the removal of the existing MRL lift to make space for the new system. Stannah designed the new lift installation to match the dimensions of the existing lift shaft, thereby eliminating the need for additional structural work. Only cosmetic decoration was needed around the new landing doors. Balancing construction activities with the daily operations of the building required meticulous planning and coordination, showcasing Stannah's commitment to creating a safe environment despite the challenges. The eight-person lift features modern controls with buttons set at heights accessible for wheelchair users. This 630kg capacity traction MRL lift is equipped with a gearless variable voltage drive, meeting EN81-20/50 standards. The new MRL lift meets all open protocol and design requirements set by the client. The design complements the university’s aesthetic, whilst ensuring enhanced performance and reliability. The stainless-steel lift showcases a modern car interior, featuring artificial granite and user-friendly elements such as digital displays, enhancing accessibility for all users. The client chose options for the lift car interior from Stannah’s brochure, including selections for the walls, ceiling, flooring, and car operating panel. An open protocol lift system means that customers are not tied to Stannah for maintenance and repair. The cyberQuarter building, which can accommodate up to 500 people, will necessitate daily use of the new lift. It will provide step-free access for all users, including wheelchair users and those with reduced mobility. All Stannah lifts are certified according to the Lifts Regulations 2016 (2016 No. 1093). Bob Cochran, Stannah’s Project Manager, said: “Enhancing accessibility and transforming lift operations were the primary goals of this project. Prioritising health and safety, along with effective communication, was crucial as we worked in a live environment. As a result, the lift replacement was a great success, with completion occurring just 12 weeks after starting on-site.” Leigh Black, Estates Project and Design Manager for Abertay said: “We’re thrilled with the lift solution provided by Stannah. The new lift is a perfect fit for our cyberQuarter building providing a smooth and accessible experience for everyone.” www.stannahlifts.co.uk Abertay introduces step-free access in cyberQuarter building 18 highereducationestates interiors
advertisement feature Nowadays, it is not uncommon for school sports halls to double as facilities for the local community. Sports clubs and community groups are frequent users outside of school hours, providing a vital role in promoting physical, mental and social wellbeing. Local spaces form a big part of local authorities’ plans to create more “20-minute neighbourhoods” where essential facilities that enhance lives are brought closer to the areas where people live. Where new schools are planned and built, integrating community benefit and wellbeing form part of this strategy. From a school’s perspective, a stateof-the-art sports hall equipped with a high-quality sports flooring system suitable for a wide range of sports and activities can be an invaluable source of supplementary income. Providing an asset in terms of a safe and highperforming facility can dramatically increase participation levels, and demonstrating a high level of social value will have a strong impact on securing funding. To provide the best possible facilities, how do you choose a flooring surface that will stand up to the expected level of use? Solid wood sports floors have always been regarded as a high-quality choice. A Junckers floor provides a safe, highperforming floor with unbeatable lifecycle costs that fulfil criteria set out by the Department for Education and Sport England. A hard-wearing and long-lasting choice, a Junckers floor is an investment that will outlast any other sports flooring surfaces. It can be sanded and re-finished eight to ten times during its life and with 12-year intervals between sandings, a typical lifespan of 60 years will comfortably be exceeded. Schools can take advantage of Junckers’ Approved Contractors maintenance scheme and 25-year warranty to have periodic inspections of the floor and a regular maintenance programme to keep the floor in optimum condition throughout its life. A solid wood floor from Junckers is also durable enough to accommodate retractable seating, a facility that can significantly increase the potential income for schools. Junckers’ floors can be strengthened in a simple way to cope with very high seating loads whilst leaving the sprung quality of the floor unaffected. A solid hardwood floor has a lot more to offer than simply being a technically advanced sports surface, and the lifespan will often be many times longer than say, a synthetic or engineered wood floor. Solid wood floors are no more or less prone to damage than other floor types, but unusual in that they have a surface treatment that will routinely be reapplied and therefore the effects of wear and tear can, to a great extent, be reversed. In the longer-term, wooden floors can be fully sanded and retreated, something many floor types cannot offer, and it is these properties that give solid hardwood floors such a long life. While a solid hardwood sports flooring system is a feat of engineering, there is no need to treat it with kid gloves. Put it to work for your school and community. It will take some hard treatment - it is designed to, and when the battle scars appear you can refurbish it… time and time again. Email: sales@junckers.co.uk Instagram: @junckersfloors Website: www. junckers.co.uk Can your school’s sports hall be a thriving community hub?
Kingfisher Louvres supports wellbeing goals at the University of Huddersfield KINGFISHER Louvres has supplied a comprehensive package of weather and screening louvres for the striking new Daphne Steele Building at the University of Huddersfield, the first of seven planned buildings on the university’s new National Health Innovation Campus. Working with Certa Roofing & Cladding, Kingfisher provided KW100Z weather louvres and KC120 screening louvres, finished in an eye-catching matt metallic bronze. The installation delivers a continuous louvre system to the building’s high-level plant room, the ground floor, and also the fourth and seventh floors, helping to enhance the project’s sleek and modern façade while providing ventilation and screening of plant equipment. Completed at the end of 2024, the Daphne Steele Building sets a new benchmark in design and construction. It is the first university building to be designed to the WELL Platinum Standard, which is the highest rating available from the International WELL Building Institute. Alongside the other planned buildings, the new campus is set to support the study of nursing, midwifery, allied health professions, leadership and human sciences courses, and represents a major step forward in creating healthier, more sustainable environments for learning and research. Named after Daphne Steele, a trailblazing figure in UK healthcare and the UK’s first black matron in the NHS, the new facility will provide students with access to industry-standard training facilities. It forms part of an exciting project to improve health outcomes and drive innovation in healthcare for the North of England. Kevin Colligan, Buyer at Certa Roofing & Cladding, said: “Kingfisher are a tried and tested supplier that Certa have developed a successful working relationship with, whilst delivering some large louvre installations over the last couple of years. The louvres have been straightforward to install, and the team has always understood our needs and ensured the products being supplied suit the required specifications and aesthetics. The customer service from the team is great; quotes are always returned promptly, and we are kept updated on our orders throughout production process.” The project was delivered by main contractor BAM, designed by AHR Architects and Cundall provided multidisciplinary engineering services with sustainable design solutions. www.kingfisherlouvres.com www.certa-rc.com www.bam.co.uk www.ahr.co.uk www.cundall.com Images: Certa Roofing & Cladding/James Thompson 20 highereducationestates exteriors
res s Your job is to find value. Ours is to deliver it — through adaptable, reliable fitness solutions that prioritise health, happiness and long-term results for your campus. All rights reserved. Star Trac, the Star Trac logo and StairMaster are registered trademarks of Core Health & Fitness, LLC. Schwinn and Nautilus are registered trademarks used under license to Core Health & Fitness LLC. Throwdown is a registered trademark of Throwdown Industries, LLC. REQUEST A QUOTE To see how we can adapt to suit your needs, contact our sales team at UKSales@corehandf.com Your job is to find value. Ours is to deliver it — through adaptable, reliable fitness solutions that prioritise health, happiness and long-term results for your campus. All rights reserved. Star Trac, the Star Trac logo and StairMaster are registered trademarks of Core Health & Fitness, LLC. Schwinn and Nautilus are registered trademarks used under license to Core Health & Fitness LLC. Throwdown is a registered trademark of Throwdown Industries, LLC. REQUEST A QUOTE To see how we can adapt to suit your needs, contact our sales team at UKSales@corehandf.com
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