Jun 2025 • £8 ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Flooring Oxford Brookes University invests in luxury vinyl flooring Roofing Industry-leading roof system used in new-build student rental scheme Audiovisual Two major renovations in audiovisual centre at Royal Holloway Jubilation for sports lovers at Southampton £24.7m expansion of existing sports facility makes it one of Southampton’s largest gyms
// Monitoring of rooms environmental conditions // Direct-to-Room communication // Nudges to affect behavioural change // Estate, block, floor, flat, and room reporting // Estate/Peers Benchmarking // Maintenance scheduling // Precise locating of issues // Individual room temperature monitoring and CONTROL. The all new ControlSensor turning heat sources on and off is just the start 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 Standby Prefect ect Find out how Irus halved the heating load at a student site in year 1.
highereducationestates 3 leader HE estates forum delivers valuable insights OUR HE estates forum, held at the Belfry in May, delivered its usual feast of stimulating conversation, thoughtful speaker presentations and multiple businessbuilding opportunities. Among the highlights was an excellent insight into the risks, but far more importantly the rewards, of Passivhaus building. An expert in this style of construction, Joel Callow of the consultants Beyond Carbon Associates described how the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) went about procuring and building the largest Passivhaus-certified student residential building in the UK, Purdown View. This 900-bed project comprises three six-storey, concrete-framed accommodation blocks designed to Passivhaus standards, which means the building’s energy requirements are radically reduced, thus significantly cutting the running costs of the development. Air source heat pumps are used for hot water generation, and electricity for heating and lighting is generated via photovoltaics. Callow, who’d been closely involved with the scheme, said one of the main problems Passivhaus faces in this country is the level of skill required to build to the exacting requirements it demands from contractors and their supply chains. It really is precision building, and many UK firms – in his experience - do not have workforces capable of delivering to these standards. Happily, the main contractor at Purdown View, Vinci Construction, was able, via a series of trial and error experiments, to educate its supply chain into delivering the air-tightness that Passivhaus relies on. It’s a success story that hopefully many other contractors can learn from, and give confidence to more UK universities to adopt this approach. Decarbonising the building process was also integral to the work of another presenter at the forum – architect Cindy Walters – who wowed the audience with the impressive and stylish design work her practice Walters & Cohen has carried out at three Oxbridge colleges, Newnham and Murray Edwards at Cambridge and Pembroke College at Oxford. Integral to the design brief at all three was enhancing the wellbeing of students, through carefully crafted spaces, and this vital element of the student experience was emphasised in two other presentations, by Stephanie Kyle of Floyd Slaski Architects and Jenny Shaw from Unite Students, the UK’s largest owner, manager and developer of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). Kyle spoke of the work her practice has carried out with AUDE in creating a new neurodiversity toolkit, which provides guidance for estates managers seeking to help neurodiverse students. Shaw described the pioneering developments in student welfare that Unite Students has carried out. It was good to hear the increasing focus of universities on this vital issue. Concluding the speaker session came real inspiration for the future of student building from Debbie Flevotomou, whose practice majors on biophilic design and its ability to enhance human connection, creativity and wellbeing. Let’s hope the sector’s current financial challenges will not divert the focus from these vital student issues. Editor Andrew Pring 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 Jubilation for sports lovers at Southampton The recent expansion of the University of Southampton’s Jubilee Sports Centre, designed by AJ100 practice GT3 Architects, is bringing an elevated sport, leisure, and wellbeing experience to students and residents alike. Story page 10-11 Andrew Pring Editor andrew@stable-media.co.uk
BATH-OVER-BATH SHOWER-OVER-SHOWER Hospitality Health Multi-unit Cruise ships Student Accommodation Military Assisted living Council housing CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION 020452 52255 BATHFITTER.CO.UK +353 01 592 1717 BATHFITTER.IE A BETTER WAY TO RENOVATE For 40 years, Bath Fitter has revolutionized bath renovation. Our process puts a new bath or shower in place in as little as one day, with no messy demolition. Best of all, our product is built to last for a lifetime. INDUSTRIES SERVED
highereducationestates 5 inside this issue June 2025 6 News Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed by the University of Leeds to undertake a series of works to improve its campus. 10 Design Solutions The recent expansion of the University of Southampton’s Jubilee Sports Centre, designed by AJ100 practice GT3 Architects, is bringing an elevated sport, leisure, and wellbeing experience to students and residents alike. 16 Flooring Karndean Commercial has partnered with Oxford Brookes University to build a vibrant and sustainable student community in harmony with its woodland setting. 17 Carpet tiling The Old College building in the University of Edinburgh’s central campus has been transformed and Interface’s carpet tiling has played a key role. 18 Roofing SOPREMA’s waterproofing roof systems and products were specified and used in the construction of Cheltenham Place – a new-build student rental scheme in Salford, Greater Manchester. 20 Windows An iconic Art Deco building in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter has been repurposed to create a modern teaching facility, using 222 steel windows. 22 Audiovisual Two major renovations for Royal Holloway, University of London have transformed a former theatre building into a digital studio with high-end audiovisual capabilities. “Students deserve sustainable, healthy homes – and the best way to achieve this is through transforming existing stock” comments Tom Dodson, Chief Operations Officer at Better Green Living. p14
RESEARCH from Hines, the global real estate investor and developer, shows that purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) has moved from niche to the mainstream, with total European investment activity rising from 1.9% in 2019 to 5.3% last year. Increased student demand and lack of supply are among the drivers identified for compelling investors to home in on the sector. In a new paper titled “Class Act: Redefining Student Living in Europe” PBSA is described as one of the fastest-growing real estate asset classes in Europe. David Steinbach, Global Chief Investment Officer at Hines, said: “Building and acquiring purpose-built student living schemes in our preferred markets is a high-conviction investment theme for Hines globally. The number of young people choosing higher education in Europe remains on a fast growth trajectory and the undersupply of purpose-built student housing in cities with top universities is notable.” Joshua Scoville, Global Head of Research at Hines, said: “The European PBSA sector is case study in how with the right fundamentals and market conditions, a niche asset class can build momentum and become a high conviction theme in a relatively short time frame. “As student living continues to expand and evolve, so do the opportunities for real estate investors able to successfully identify student trends in terms of location then execute on delivering best in class facilities to attract what is now a discerning, international customer base.” The research identifies the high and growing demand from domestic and inbound international students – combined with a slow and under-nourished supply line of high-quality, well-located accommodation – as determining factors underpinning investor confidence. The number of international students at European universities has grown by 16.3% since 2019 as institutions across the continent launch more English language offerings and the broad cultural appeal of European cities remains a draw for young people from key markets across the world. The report illustrates that the flight-toquality trend evident in other sectors, such as Office and Retail, is also prevalent in PBSA. Europe’s top-ranked educational institutions experience the most significant spike in demand, with universities in the Global top 100 seeing an average uplift in total student numbers of just over 10%, with the next 100 seeing a rise of 5%. Hines research finds that rents are rising for PBSA, having generated positive yearover-year rent growth over every major country market and in some cases achieving rent growth that exceeds 10%. Rent premiums are significantly stronger for privately owned/managed properties than for accommodation run by universities themselves. Schools with more international students saw significant rent premiums, by as much as 15% on average for PBSA. PBSA’s investor attraction grows significantly Major works programme for University of Leeds campus MORGAN Sindall Construction has been appointed by the University of Leeds to undertake a series of works to improve its campus. The capital works programme – procured through the Procure Partnership - will entail refurbishment of existing university spaces and entrances as well as reroofing and cladding works. Morgan Sindall will also create new informal student spaces and as well as upgrading teaching facilities. Work is expected to complete in late 2025. Throughout the build programme Morgan Sindall will deploy its Intelligent Solutions approach, which brings together digital and platform design capabilities with modern construction methods and innovative carbon reduction tools to create unique, sustainable, and inspiring places for its clients. As part of its delivery of the project, Morgan Sindall will deliver a social value plan that will ensure the project benefits the wider Leeds community. Ben Hall, Morgan Sindall’s area director for Yorkshire, said: “The University of Leeds is one of the most important institutions in our region and we’re delighted to be appointed to help future-proof and upgrade its campus estate, creating an environment that will continue to provide an outstanding student experience.” 6 highereducationestates news
SIR Robert McAlpine has been appointed as the main contractor by Northumbria University to deliver the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre (NESST) in Newcastle. This follows a pre-construction services agreement (PCSA) to deliver the £30m build contract, which comprises a full demolition, new build and extension of the pre-existing Wynne Jones building at the heart of Northumbria University’s Newcastle city campus. The works include a new ground floor and six upper levels with a footprint area of circa 900sqm. The building will provide satellite manufacturing clean rooms, advanced prototyping laboratories, a Mission Operations Centre, teaching laboratories and collaborative spaces for work with companies in the space manufacturing supply chain. Work is currently well underway, and should be completed by August 2026. The centre will bring together industry and academia to collaborate on internationally significant space research and technological developments. It will directly support the creation of over 350 jobs and will inject over £260m into the North East economy over the next 30 years. Backed by substantial investment from the UK Space Agency and Lockheed Martin UK Space, NESST represents a significant milestone in advancing the UK's space industry. Professor John Woodward, Pro Vice Chancellor (International) at Northumbria University, said: “The appointment of Sir Robert McAlpine marks an exciting milestone in the development of NESST. The centre will be a game-changer — not only for our students and researchers, but for the region’s ambitions in the space and advanced manufacturing sectors. By combining cutting-edge facilities with strong industry partnerships, we’re creating a centre that will drive innovation, boost economic growth, and put the North East firmly on the map as a leader in space technology.” ASTON University has been awarded a £35.5m grant from the UK Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme to support its transformation into an innovative, Net Zero carbon campus. The funding, run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and delivered by Salix, will revolutionise how the campus operates. A state-of-the-art Green Energy Centre will be built in a newly-acquired facility on Woodcock Street that will also house the triple-crown accredited Aston Business School, the Aston Business Hub, and the Aston Integrated Healthcare Hub. The new Green Energy Centre powered by new generation sustainable technologies will accelerate Aston University’s Net Zero emission timeline to 2028, two years ahead of the original, ambitious target. The Centre will also serve as a living lab supporting cuttingedge research and education in sustainable technologies. Scope 1 and 2 emissions will be reduced by over 90 per cent from the 2005/06 baseline as a result of moving away from fossil fuels used in the University’s district heating and electricity network. The project includes the decommissioning of gas boilers currently used in the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI) and the Aston Day Hospital buildings as well as energy efficiency projects in several other high-traffic buildings across the campus. Professor Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University, said: “The ambitious Aston University 2030 sustainability strategy is being realised by establishing the new Green Energy Centre that will enable the University to reach Net Zero Carbon by 2028, two years ahead of our plan.” Aston gets £35.5m green energy grant Robert McAlpine to deliver space centre at Newcastle highereducationestates 7 news
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
Richard Alexander, director at the consultancy Differentis and a digital transformation expert in the sector, explores how higher education institutions should navigate mergers and key considerations for successful change and transformation THE UK higher education sector is at a critical tipping point. The Office for Students (OfS) has warned that 64% of institutions could face deficits by 2026-27 if student recruitment didn’t improve. Alongside that, more recent data shows that 40% ran at budget deficits in 2024, with three institutions in serious financial peril. In a worst-case scenario, OfS data suggests more than 80% of English universities could face deficits within three years. Without bold, strategic action, many universities risk unsustainable futures, and mergers and consolidations are no longer a question of if but when. While challenging, they offer a path to financial stability. By pooling resources and combining infrastructures, universities can achieve economies of scale, reduce costs, and better compete on the global stage. Provided they are guided by clear planning and a focus on achieving genuine efficiencies. Yet, as we’ve seen in both public and private sectors, mergers frequently fail to deliver promised synergies due to poor planning and execution - the example of the failed merger attempt that occurred between the University of Glamorgan and UWIC (now Cardiff Metropolitan University) being an example of that when an independent review cited stumbling blocks such as leadership disputes, federation membership issues, and the challenge of achieving a “merger of equals.” The goal of any merger should be to double the impact without doubling the costs. Achieving this requires meticulous planning and a focus on value creation. One of the most significant barriers to successful consolidation is a lack of strategic foresight. Many universities underestimate the complexity of merging two distinct entities. Without a clear roadmap, mergers can lead to duplication of efforts, misaligned cultures, and inefficient structures. Digital transformation plays a crucial role here, enabling institutions to offer seamless, high-quality experiences that meet the expectations of globally mobile students. Successful mergers hinge on the ability to make data-driven decisions. Intelligent transformation is not just about integrating IT systems; it’s about leveraging technology to drive strategic outcomes. This includes: • Developing prioritisation frameworks: Ensuring that every initiative contributes to the university’s strategic objectives. For example, we helped Imperial College London align IT projects with their long-term goals, eliminating redundant activities and maximising return on investment. • Streamlining operations: Reducing inefficiencies through centralised systems. At the University of Exeter, we centralised IT support, transforming fragmented service desks into a seamless, efficient triage system that improved user experience and reduced costs. • Building resilient systems: Modernising infrastructure to handle future challenges, from growing student numbers to evolving regulatory requirements. The age of consolidation in higher education is reshaping the sector at a pivotal moment. Universities must approach this challenge with bold leadership, strategic planning, and a commitment to intelligent transformation. By leveraging technology, aligning strategic goals, and focusing on long-term value creation, institutions can navigate mergers effectively and emerge stronger. The future of UK higher education depends on adaptability and innovation. Through careful planning and a clear focus on operational efficiencies and community impact, universities can ensure that consolidation not only addresses financial pressures but also lays the foundation for a sustainable and thriving educational landscape. www.differentis.com highereducationestates 9 analysis
Southampton’s Jubilee Sports Centre is open for all The recent expansion of the University of Southampton’s Jubilee Sports Centre, designed by AJ100 practice GT3 Architects, is bringing an elevated sport, leisure, and wellbeing experience to students and residents alike THE £24.7m expansion of the existing sports facility includes a fitness suite with more than 200 stations – making it one of Southampton’s largest gyms – alongside four fitness studios, an indoor cycling studio, and dedicated climbing and bouldering wall for all abilities. Together with three new squash courts, the new dry side offering seamlessly integrates with the existing wet leisure space, which includes a six-lane pool. Designed in the aftermath of the UK’s Covid-19 pandemic, the new Jubilee Centre represents an important shift in the way leisure facilities can support the wider ambitions of higher educational facilities. The expansion recognised the opportunity to integrate the requirements of the wider local community into a campus facility. The design team worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the final building met not only the diverse needs of the student population - including numerous sports and athletics teams, gym, and social users - but of the wider community too. This robust understanding of user-requirements not only influenced the final building design, but it also supported operator and client aims as they reviewed opening hours, multifunctioning spaces, and identified potential additional revenue streams. Kieran McFarlane, associate architectural technologist at GT3, said: “We designed this centre with people in mind and, while it’s a key part of the university campus, it’s there for the whole community. Every decision has been made with the goal of making sure that anyone – regardless of age, ability or background – can benefit from what the centre has to offer. “Everything reflects a strive to include and welcome a much wider range of users, seeking to support diversity within the average UK student population. Unisex changing areas, adaptive sports equipment, and the option of quiet and private space or louder public spaces have been integrated throughout the facility mix, ensuring visitors of all abilities and preferences can access, train, compete and enjoy everything the centre has to offer. “It was also a priority to ensure the building feels open, inviting and connected to the spaces around it, including Valley Gardens and University Road. The considered design all comes together to create a really vibrant and accessible space designed to enhance the health and wellbeing of all. The state-of-the-art fitness experience embodies this ethos and positions the Jubilee Sports Centre as the central hub for physical activity and community in the area.” A final priority for the university was for the facility to support wellbeing as much as physical fitness, providing safe, welcoming, social-orientated spaces for the student population. Clear sight lines into external green spaces are integrated along primary circulation routes, with visual and physical access to all facilities facilitated through large windows and glazed entry points into the building. The social café opens onto a wide veranda overlooking the adjacent yoga garden, and access to the nearby public park and fitness trails. Consistent communication with the client team through a multitude of channels ensured that every aspect of the scheme was carefully considered to align with project and team ambitions, culminating in a product of enhanced architectural, inclusive, and BREEAM credentials. This collaborative effort across the delivery team assisted in foreplaning for potential complexities in the enhancement works within a live student area, maintaining a fully operational pool facility throughout the construction phase. The tight site required a compact and well-thought-out solution to avoid splitting leisure services across the campus, reinforcing the ethos of accessibility, and providing cohesiveness across the leisure offering. McFarlane added: “Getting the connection between the old and new building to be seamless was critical for the user experience, but we also needed to consider how the expanded Jubilee Sports Centre sits within the wider campus landscape. The way we 10 highereducationestates design solutions
approached the massing of the building works to reflect that of the campus itself, with a stepped down approach to lowerrise residential buildings at one end of the campus – avoiding the sports centre becoming overbearing in its setting.” Designed to meet BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standard, the building features passive design elements such as natural ventilation and light, with an improved airtightness of 3.5m³/h/m², lowering operational carbon outputs, and constructed with lower embodied carbon in mind, it also aligns the finished scheme with the RIBA 2030 Climate challenge. Mark Craig, Managing Director for Construction South at Wates, said: “We are incredibly proud of all our teams’ work delivering this exceptional facility. Collaborating with such innovators as GT3 has ensured the design was sustainable and considerate at all stages, helping us all support the University’s net zero ambitions.” Trudi Vout, director of residences, sport & community at the University of Southampton, said: “The new Jubilee Sport and Recreation Centre stands as an example of our commitment to enhancing the student experience and promoting a culture of inclusivity and wellness through sports and active participation. “The building design embodies the shared vision of sustainability, seamlessly integrating green spaces into the building through expansive windows that invite natural light and lawns that foster connection to nature.” www.gt3architects.com www.wates.co.uk highereducationestates 11 design solutions
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?
CONSTRUCTION work completed earlier this year on a new sports hall at Minsthorpe Community College in South Elmsall. The project, carried out by lead contractor Henry Boot Construction, part of Henry Boot, has provided a brand-new facility which includes a 6,394 sqft main sports hall, two activity studios, changing rooms, toilets, storage facilities, office space and a multiuse games area (MUGA). Work began in summer 2023 to replace the previous sports facilities alongside refurbishment works to several of the existing blocks within the college. Social value and sustainability have been front-and-centre of the project for Henry Boot Construction. “The construction of a new sports hall will bring transformative benefits to both the college and the wider community,” commented Jack Kidder, Responsible Business Manager at Henry Boot. “Beyond enhancing the college’s facilities, it will provide a vibrant hub for physical activity, fostering health, wellbeing, and teamwork among students. For the local community, the sports hall also offers opportunities for engagement through events and recreational use – creating a shared space that strengthens community ties.” Throughout the development, the project team had a close working relationship with the college’s students, leadership team and the Department for Education to ensure the project met educational needs while engaging and empowering the students. The Student Construction Council Partnership (SCCP) was a Minsthorpe student-led body at the heart of the project that guided its social value strategy. Involved throughout the project, the SCCP created designs for the hoardings, provided vital feedback on the appearance of the new internal spaces and became a communication link between the construction team and the staff and students within the college. The Minsthorpe students have also taken part in multiple workshops, careers information sessions, site visits and work experience, offering them an insight into the world of construction and potential future career opportunities. Chris Weathers, Commercial Director at Henry Boot Construction, said: “This has been a wonderful project for Henry Boot Construction to be a part of over the last 18 months. Since the beginning of the design and planning process, the project team had a clear vision of what the final product will look like, and now that work on the sports hall is finished, it’s a credit to the team to see it matching the ambitions set out before work began. “Projects like this are always extremely fulfilling, providing high-quality facilities to the local community that will greatly benefit them. We have modernised existing spaces so that curriculum activity can be fully supported, greatly enhancing the student experience. “It’s also a fantastic blueprint for education-sector projects moving forward – demonstrating the importance of engaging pupils in the design and build of their new spaces.” Joint Principals Mark Gilmore and Rachael Merritt, from Minsthorpe Community College, said: “We’re delighted to be chosen as one of the first 50 schools to be part of the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme. “The opportunity the SPPC has gained from their collaborative work with The Responsible Business Manager, and the construction team on site has added a really valuable layer of careers education to our students’ experience. It has provided excellent encounters with employers and employees, experiences of workplaces, and being able to link their learning through the curriculum with actual jobs which has contributed positively to the college meeting all the Gatsby Benchmarks.” www.henrybootconstruction.co.uk Henry Boot completes new sports hall at Minsthorpe Community College highereducationestates 13 project
Reimagining student living through retrofitting Students deserve sustainable, healthy homes – and the best way to achieve this is through transforming existing stock, comments Tom Dodson, Chief Operations Officer at Better Green Living AROUND 2.2 million students will require housing next year, rising to a million new starters in a single year by 2031 – but panic building highrises is not the answer. Not only are new builds expensive and disruptive, but the environmental cost of tearing down existing buildings that could be creatively re-used is huge. Fortunately, creating sustainable living is a top priority for many universities, driven by the climate crisis and growing student demand for more energy-efficient and sustainable accommodation. Faced with the pressure of having to ensure that appropriate housing is available to meet the growing numbers of existing and new students, it’s refreshing to see that a number of university estates teams are turning away from building new and instead are committing to modernising existing buildings to meet students’ expectations. For example, in an era where cities are saturated with high-rise student buildings, King’s College London has been taking a different approach with a focus on sustainability, heritage, and people-centric design for the ongoing transformation of its Stamford Street Apartments. By breathing new life into these existing buildings, the university has avoided the carbon-intensive processes of demolition and new construction. In fact, retrofitting an existing building rather than building a new one can result in 50-75% less carbon according to the World Economic Forum3. We have been working with King’s College London since 2019, on this renovation project that quietly redefines what student accommodation should be - not just functional, but inspiring and adaptable, reflecting the values of a modern and futuristic institution while attracting and retaining students. The renovation brief for Stamford Street Apartments was deceptively simple - to create a “home-from-home” study environment that reflected the needs and aspirations of today’s students – a mission we achieved by working with the students themselves. Our consultation asked the students to imagine what their ideal spaces might look like, what made them feel at home, what they see as important for student living. This insight informed everything from furniture design and interior fit-outs, to lighting, layout and materials. The flats were then completely refurbished, including re-wiring, plumbing, complete custom furniture and bedroom design, all flooring and decoration. There was a balance to be struck, of course – we had to set the extensive wishlist of the (mainly) young people against the need to produce a viable project, with accommodation that would be affordable, functional and aesthetic. So far, we have transformed over 72 flats, 448 bedrooms and bathrooms and 72 communal kitchen spaces across King’s College London student accommodations, even instituting policies such as delaying noisy works until after midday to respect students’ schedules. These upgraded residences offer a safe, inclusive environment that supports independent living and enriches the student experience. When margins are tight, as they always are with education projects, it can be tempting to select materials purely for their initial cost, but we never forget the old adage of “buy cheap, buy twice”. In fact, Better Green Living has implemented a zero-landfill policy to help reduce waste during the project, using strict circular economy principles such as recycling and repurposing materials, and ensuring the durability of products to avoid waste. In the end, retrofitting is the ultimate win-win situation – universities have sustainable buildings at a lower cost and with less disruption, local communities don’t lose valuable land and housing to students, and those starting university for the first time have comfortable homes that support their learning and their life experience. 14 highereducationestates sustainability
KARNDEAN Commercial has partnered with Oxford Brookes University to build a vibrant and sustainable student community in harmony with its woodland setting. The new Clive Booth Student Village, set close to the university’s Headington Campus, replaces outdated student accommodation built in the 1970s with a complex of accommodation blocks that sit sensitively within the established wooded landscape and conform to Passivhaus and BREEAM design principles. Appointing MICA Architects and Karndean Commercial alongside a multidisciplinary team, including landscape architects, ecology and arboricultural consultants as well as transport and heritage consultants, Oxford Brookes University is constructing 12 environmentally friendly blocks containing over 1,000 spacious and airy study bedrooms within contemporary shared apartments. Richard Allen, sales director at Karndean Commercial, said: “In an urban area with extreme pressure on rental housing like Oxford, having purpose-built accommodation for students is a boon for the university and the wider community. Jessie Turnbull, senior associate at MICA Architects, said: “The university was keen to construct high quality, low impact accommodation that would be a calm and secure place to live, offering students a living space where they can relax and bring their best selves to their studies. “The site is positioned adjacent to Headington Hill Hall, a listed historic manor house, and positioned within the Hall’s arboretum so it was important that the new accommodation blocks would integrate into this landscape to create a woodland village. To enhance this feeling of connection with nature, each building has been named in honour of native trees.” Self-contained apartments include between six and 11 study bedrooms, each with a compact ensuite, and a generously sized shared kitchen dining living room. The interior has a contemporary biophilic style that has been developed around the project’s key priorities of sustainability, practicality and wellbeing. Alongside a natural colour palette and furniture made from recycled materials, oak design flooring from Karndean Commercial’s Knight Tile range creates a warm and welcoming environment. Turnbull explained: “The university was very keen to use luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) throughout the accommodation as this would be easier to clean and would provide a modern vibe that appeals to both domestic and international students. Carpeted bedrooms are very much a British choice while hard floors are more usual in homes across Europe, Asia and the United States. Following consultation with a group of student ambassadors, we opted for the warm natural tones of Lime Washed Oak in the bedrooms and Rose Washed Oak with its slightly greyer hues in each living space to complement the duck egg blue kitchen units. The concrete frame construction called for a rigid core format, with its enhanced acoustic benefits and easier installation.” With sustainability a key consideration for the project, Morgan Sindall Construction’s CarboniCa tool was used to evaluate the construction’s holistic life cycle, collating embodied carbon and life cycle costing from each material’s environmental product declaration (EPD). With a durable construction that ensures longevity, Karndean flooring contributes a lower overall life cycle carbon cost than other flooring options, as evidenced in its third party verified EPDs. Karndean’s Knight Tile rigid core flooring, part of the Karndean Living collection, features practical benefits including a waterproof, hygienic surface that’s easy to maintain, a durable 0.3mm wear layer and R10 slip resistance, while an integrated acoustic layer reduces impact noise transfer to rooms below by 19dB. With a click-locking mechanism, Knight Tile is easy to install over most hard subfloors and is suitable for any residential setting or light to moderate commercial use. Each floor comes with a lifetime residential or ten- year commercial guarantee. www.karndeancommercial.com www.micaarchitects.com www.morgansindall.com Flooring in tune with biophilia at Oxford Brookes University 16 highereducationestates flooring
Edinburgh’s Old College gets new makeover THE Old College building in the University of Edinburgh’s central campus has hosted the institution’s prestigious law school for over 300 years. With the interiors becoming outdated and out of touch with modern working habits, it was clear some of the workspaces needed a major refresh. Wellbeing was a top priority for the refurbishment, aided by biophilic design – giving staff a sense of nature in an urban city location. And as a pioneer of sustainability in higher education, it was key that the new design also embodied the University of Edinburgh’s wider pledges on sustainability, circularity and its push to Net Zero. Andrew Reid, Area Manager at Interface, said: “The University of Edinburgh’s Old College is not only one of the capital’s key landmarks but also a listed building, so there was a whole set of considerations and huge pressure to transform this space into a showstopping one that truly reflects its worldwide reputation.” It was evident that the traditional layout had been designed for individual working rather than for teams. The new environment needed to be more collaborative and facilitate a variety of working preferences. As such, designated areas to support different working styles were introduced, including large desks within open plan areas, and booths for focus time and calls, allowing individuals to work according to their preferences and facilitate collaboration. The flooring was one of the first design elements chosen. Working with Interface’s Concept Design Team, the University’s design team were drawn to the earthy and sea-inspired tones in Interface’s Upon Common Ground carpet tile collection and used this as the foundation for the rest of the design scheme. Unveiled in 2023, the Upon Common Ground collection is the product of the seven-year Home Project and is inspired by the deep connection that Australia’s First Nations people have with their homeland. Representing the five key habitats found in the country – Desert, Saltwater, Rainforest, Spinifex and Freshwater – the biophilic-inspired collection captures the earth’s natural beauty, effectively bringing the outdoors into any commercial space. Made with 100% recycled solution dyed nylon, the warm neutrals and subtle accent colours of each of the collection’s palettes highlight the country’s natural beauty and uniqueness. Interface’s Concept Design Team introduced a sense of calm to the university space with the Undulating Water, Shallows, and Sandbank colourways of the collection, which incorporated earth-like tones and textures throughout the main work areas and meeting rooms. In addition to the clear aesthetic appeal, the tiles also reduce impact sound by up to 29dB, which helps to improve acoustics and limit disruption in these critical concentration zones. Reflecting on the completed refurbishment, Heather Davie, Interior Designer at the University of Edinburgh, said: “The new design scheme for Old College was a dramatic change from what everyone was used to, with some team members having worked in the same environment for over 20 years. Like with any change, we expected that it would take getting used to initially, but the immediate feedback we had was incredibly positive and we’ve seen a significant increase in employees using the new space rather than opting to work from home. “In fact, the finished refurbishment is now being used as a prototype for the wider University’s push towards providing more collaborative, flexible spaces. It’s great to see this space within Old College being given a new lease of life, and the flooring really ties it all together.” www.interface.com highereducationestates 17 flooring
New student accommodation in Salford made water-tight SOPREMA’s industry-leading waterproofing roof systems and products were specified and used in the construction of Cheltenham Place – a new-build student rental scheme in Salford, Greater Manchester. Constructed by Bridgestone Construction with W Hughes & Son as the roofing contractor and Leach Rhodes Walker as the architect. Cheltenham Place will provide high-quality accommodation for students within the city. SOPREMA worked with W Hughes and Son to identify, specify and install the optimum waterproofing system available, Duoflex SP, as this complied with the buildings specific requirements from a roof performance perspective. The speed of application was a major influencing factor in product specification, and a key attribute of Duoflex SP. Additionally, there was a requirement to provide a full waterproofing and insulation solution for the higher tiers of the building, but due to inaccessibility for a bitumen boiler, SOPREMA was tasked with providing an alternative solution. The perfect answer was identified within SOPREMA’s extensive product portfolio in the form of DUO HT, a great alternative to Duoflex SP, without the need for a boiler, or having any impact on cost to the client. Alex Goodyear from SOPREMA said: “We worked with the contractor at an early stage to devise a plan for all aspects of the construction of the roof system from a waterproofing point of view. It was fairly obvious from the outset that we would be unable to take a boiler to the higher stories, so we needed a solution for these areas with the same performance as Duoflex SP without the client having to factor in a change in pricing. The DUO HT system suited this perfectly, which enabled us to commence with the installation with a clear design plan for all stories. Additionally, the same 30-year warranty was maintained across both products, which was another key factor in its specification.” Aaron Hepworth, Pre-Construction Manager at W Hughes & Son, said: “It was crucial for the building to have a consistent warranty throughout, so we were pleased that SOPREMA were able to provide two separate solutions, while maintaining the warranty. As the contractor we were incredibly happy with the team from SOPREMA, and of course the outstanding quality of their system. The job was completed on time and to budget, and we will be working with SOPREMA again on another two projects in the near future following the success of Cheltenham Place.” Sustainability is always a key consideration for modern buildings, and Cheltenham Place was no exception. The Sopra XPS insulation, specified and used in this project, is the recipient of a bronze Cradle to Cradle certificate. A worldwide standard, Cradle to Cradle is a design philosophy that dictates that every raw material that is used in a product must be reusable, making them the preferred solution for responsible purchasing. The Sopra XPS product portfolio has its recycled raw materials, sustainable manufacturing process, and end-of-life recyclability to thank for this important recognition. Cheltenham Place provides luxury student accommodation in Salford, Greater Manchester, as well as a range of onsite facilities in a popular area. www.soprema.co.uk/en www.bridgestoneconstruction.co.uk www.whughes.co.uk www.lrw.co.uk 18 highereducationestates roofing
YOUR GO-TO PARTNER FOR INNOVATIVE SPACE SOLUTIONS www.sjonescontainers.co.uk/modular-buildings | 07760 282724 Backed by years of experience, we at S Jones are trusted experts in designing and supplying superior modular building systems. Our Modular Buildings division provides a range of educational facilities such as classrooms, nurseries, and staff offices. Not sure about modular? We also specialise in container conversions. SPEAK TO OUR TEAM TODAY! Scan the QR code to unlock the full potential of modular construction!
Birmingham University restores Art Deco building A detailed contract to restore an iconic Art Deco building in the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter to create a modern teaching facility, achieving high standards of energy performance, has included the restoration and upgrading of 222 steel windows which were originally manufactured in a neighbouring street. The work on the James Cond Building was carried out by the Window Repair Company (Northwest), on behalf of GMI Construction during a 32-week programme. Its contract was awarded after the University of Birmingham Sustainable Building faculty and project consultants Lucas Architects decided that replacing the single glazed frames - dating from 1932-1934 - with new fenestration would clash with the ethos of the courses to be run there. Consequently, the students learning trades including brickwork, carpentry and plumbing as well as engineering and electrical installation, now do so within an ‘A’ rated structure which is affordable to heat and maintain. With the old SMW style windows ranging in size from 1200mm square up to much larger frames measuring 3500mm wide by 2000mm tall, raising the insulation standards of the openings was critical to improving the energy performance of the Art Deco building overall. The Window Repair Company’s six-man site team demounted the often-corroded frames from the monolithic masonry walls for transport back to the specialist’s extensive workshop premises in Billinge near Wigan. There, another four of its expert staff undertook the stripping and repair, while all of the original brass ironmongery was restored in-house. Managing Director Ryan Larner explained: “Although the level of corrosion was not too serious, almost every window needed to have some new section welded into it, while one window had to be remade as a horizontal opener had been removed to accommodate an old ventilation system. Generally, they were all sand-blasted back to bare metal ready for recoating to offer a 15–25-year guarantee on the finish. In terms of the reglazing, we installed 4-8-4 mm argon filled units with black warm edge spacer bars. All of the glazing was installed using bespoke beads affixed with Brass Slotted Pan Headed 3/16th BSW screws. This involved drilling and tapping every glazing aperture, consuming some 65,000 glazing bead screws across the project. “The performance of the refurbished windows was assessed using the project architects’ software to achieve a U-value 0.05 better than for a brand new standard W20 window. All of the restored windows were reinstated in their original openings, including re-attaching the remote winding gearboxes. Progress was good and we completed our work some eight weeks ahead of programme - and we’ve had very good feedback from the client.” His company’s membership of the SWA was a considerable help says Larner. “The literature and case studies which the Steel Window Association makes available were instrumental in us being awarded the contract, offering as they do, confidence to the specifier regarding all the testing that has been done, and for the client as to what performance and appearance they can expect. We know that the SWA’s website was referred to on multiple occasions.” www.windowrepairco.co.uk www.gmi.co.uk www.lucas-architects.co.uk One of the vast windows within the James Cond building, Birmingham University 20 highereducationestates windows
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=