Edge Hill given royal 'green' seal of approval
Edge Hill University’s Centre of Excellence for Teaching and Learning has been named as the winner of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) Award for Sustainability 2009. The BBC news presenter Nicholas Owen made the announcement during a glittering ceremony on Friday 8th May, at the City of Manchester Stadium.
Edge Hill triumphed over an extremely strong field which included entries from the stunning Metro office complex at Salford Quays, Manchester, the newly-opened postgraduate Statistics Centre at Lancaster University and Building Design Partnerships new offices.
David Oldham , Director of Capital Developments at Edge Hill University said: “I consider this tremendous accolade and recognition of our efforts in providing a series of sustainable buildings within budget.
“The potential for Edge Hill to lead the higher education sector with this example of design combined with appropriate low carbon technologies is clear.”
The state-of-the-art facility incorporates many unique eco-friendly features and is at the forefront of a drive to reduce the University’s carbon footprint. Initiatives include a ‘live energy wall’ located in the main entrance of the building. As more energy is used, the wall changes colour, reminding staff and students to turn off computers, lights and other electrical equipment after use.
David Oldham , Director of Capital Developments at Edge Hill University is available for interview. Images of the energy wall and the building are also available. Please call Angela Samata on 01695 584112.
Renewable technologies are used throughout the building, in the form of ground source heat pumps providing heating and cooling from water abstracted from aquifers 140m below the grounds. Solar thermal collectors, producing water near 80oc for substantial periods of time from the sun are also used.
Edge Hill University has been recognised by the Carbon Trust for its green initiatives and has been awarded a six figure grant for this building. It is estimated that the building will reduce the campus’
carbon emissions by at least 20 tonnes per year.
Edge Hill University is the biggest provider of healthcare staff in the North West, with 4000 midwives, nurses and healthcare professional graduating each year. Operating theatres, clinical skills areas and robot style mannequins that can simulate everything from pregnancy to a temperature will mean that cutting-edge training will be available to all in the new building.
The building accommodates Faculty of Health staff and students and The SOLSTICE Centre, which carries out pioneering work in e-learning.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is the pre-eminent organisation of its kind in the world, operating in 146 countries. RICS members offer advice on a diverse range of land, property, construction and related environmental issues. As part of their role, they helps to set, maintain and regulate standards, while also providing impartial advice to governments and policy-makers.
Edge Hill University’s Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is also one of four projects selected to represent the North West at the international RICS Awards in London on 29, September, 2009.
