Sustainable Development @ Lancaster University

Sustainability : Why bother ?

• Climate Change• Depleting natural resources • Rising utilities & fuel prices• Universities educate : that includes how people

live & behave

Lancaster’s Approach

• Laying the foundations

– Commitment to sustainability is explicit in the University’s strategic plan

– Clear environmental policy– Resource commitment to environment &

sustainability– Holistic approach to sustainability in Estate

Development Masterplan including refurbishments

Student Residences

• The existing partnership arrangement between the University and UPP Lancaster has already created :

• Phase 1 402 rooms• Phase 2 1936 rooms• Phase 3 1047 rooms• Phase 4 776 New build rooms

176 Refurbished rooms 3750m² Academic/CollegeRefurbishment

Phase 4

What students thought about earlier phases 1 - 3

• Nice Rooms – but too expensive.• No dedicated social spaces indoors or outdoors. • How green are they ?

Design Process

A Phase 4 working group was set up :

• Chaired by a member of the University Council [who is also a successful housing developer].

• Student representatives included– LUSU President– Education & welfare officer– JCR College Presidents

• College Principals• UPP & Estates team

Our Brief to UPP

Main Considerations:

• Product Performance – Sustainability and Environment

• Enhanced living space and social provision• Style & Quality – both at product and

development level• Low rent proposition >> Low delivery and

running costs

Sustainability Target

• New Build– BREEAM / Eco-homes Excellent

• Refurbishments– BREEAM / Eco-homes very good

• Flexible social housing solution

• Low waste – lower cost

• Highly sustainable by design

• Healthy home by design

• Highly energy efficient by design

• Attractive “lifestyle” product offer

• Educational experience opportunity

The construction process

• Timber framed solution• Lighter weight foundations [less concrete]• Off site manufacture/less site generated waste• Speedier construction• Watertight quicker allowing internal fit out to

progress in parallel• FSC certified timber• Low or no emission paints & fabrics• Internal ventilation & heat recovery system• Low energy fittings

UPP adaptation for modern student accommodation

Full ground floor social space (4 storey)

Kitchen

Lounge

Diner

Patio

Non En-Suite Bedrooms

Adjacent shower room

Bedroom Floor - shared shower rooms

The numbers..

• Carbon Footprint : 25% less per student

• Insulation : up to 50% better

• Utilities : up to 20% less in use

• £30k per student bed – free living room ?

• Circa 15% cheaper in construction cost than previous phases

Presentation Summary

• Phase 4 accommodation is cheaper to build than previous phases 1-

3. The rent is £10 per week cheaper per bedroom.

• There is a fantastic social space in the open plan lounge,

kitchen/diner. This wasn’t provided on previous phases.

• Phase 4 has achieved a BREEAM / Eco-homes Excellent rating, one

of only 4 student residences projects to do so.

• They are predicted to use up to 20% less energy/utilities than

previous accommodation. We’re monitoring this closely!

• Students can monitor usage in real time via the internet. They can consciously reduce the cost of their accommodation whilst at university by using less energy.

• Recycling facilities are designed into the accommodation.

• Outdoor spaces and facilities enhance and extend the live and learn spaces on campus. ‘WiFi & BBQ’s”.

• Asked if there was anything that they’d change, the first students occupiers said NO – they are genuinely pleased with this eco-friendly accommodation.

Questions & Answers