To achieve sustainable design, material selection, and construction are no different to those required to achieve any other aspect of good design. The process relies on an understanding of the potential environmental issues, to compliment and contextualise what is already known among these professional experts.
Sustainable construction has straightforward aims: to minimise waste on and off site; reuse materials and make use of those reused or recycled; avoid complex components that are difficult to recycle at end of life; and choose construction systems that can be delivered by local operatives by existing or new skill sets.
Design is a holistic process that seeks to create the best solution across a broad range of requirements, which includes social and economic sustainability as well as environmental responsibility. A good designer will always look first at exploiting the opportunities of the site and the client's brief to produce a building which, as far as possible, works passively to minimise energy and resource use. The next step is to incorporate technologies for minimising resource demand that are appropriate to the site, the building occupants’ needs and their capacity to manage and operate them. Also, designing to enable future change of use, easy maintenance, and eventual disassembly and reuse will lengthen the lifespan of a building and minimise its overall impact.
EAUC-Scotland's Sustainable Construction Topic Support Network (TSN) is open to all, providing an opportunity for those working in or with the further and higher education sector to share ideas and questions and to get together to hear from particular speakers or discuss topics of interest.
Worcester Royal Infirmary, the primary teaching and surgical hospital in Worcestershire until it closed in 2002 lay derelict for eight years and has now been sensitively restored
Edinburgh’s historic Old High School has been transformed into an award winning, energy efficient hub for knowledge, innovation and skills.
The Julian Study Centre is an ambitious structure that solidifies a holistic approach to new teaching and seminar spaces
The redevelopment of Durham University Business School produced an eye-catching facility which successfully enhanced the student experience and transformed the working lives of...
The University required a purpose built, highly efficient high density data centre to be installed and commissioned within 13 months ready for the start of the new academic year
In 2006, recognising the need to update facilities, Nottingham Trent University (NTU) took on the largest and most exciting construction and refurbishment project to date
The aim of the project was to build on the lessons learnt from previous projects and further embed sustainable development principles into the new development at the BGLZ.
Shane Foster is a committed and dedicated catalyst for change and continuous improvement. Shane has been innovative in driving sustainability from the classroom to the...
This project supports families in-need by transforming run-down and derelict properties into modern and affordable homes in the community.
Using HEFCE Revolving Green Funding, the University set out to show that there is life in 1960s building stock, of which there is much in the HE sector.
Bournemouth University’s Carbon Management Plan is a comprehensive programme of works aiming to meet the challenging 2015/16 target of a 30% reduction in absolute...
“Catching the Carbon Culprits” is a holistic approach to preventing energy wastage. Heat was escaping through poor insulation and lights were being left on...
The Winners' Brochure for the International Green Gown Awards 2014 which brings together the finalists and winners of these Awards which are growing globally.
A presentation by David Beards from the 13th Annual EAUC Conference 2009.
This two day Conference took place on the 30 of September and 1 of October at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow. The varied two day programme included presentations covering...
Legal update for EAUC Members (September 2012) about the replacement of Business Link and Direct.gov
Discover construction products and materials containing recycled content. Specifying products with higher recycled content is a simple and cost-effective way to meet your...
A link to WRAP's dedicated construction webpages which contain lots of information to help you with key areas including resource efficiency.
Association of University Directors of Estate's (AUDE) comprehensive annual report which details the impact of University estates and facilities across the UK (2014).
For over 40 years the University of East Anglia (UEA) has been at the forefront of climate change research. As might be expected from a university with a top-rated School of...
The University of Manchester used £2.2m funding from the HEFCE/Salix Revolving Green Fund (RGF) to implement energy efficient technologies. This is how they made improvements to...
A quarterly briefing paper which is submitted to AUDE members which ensures the voice of the EAUC and its Members are heard at this strategic level. September 2014 issue.
A quarterly briefing paper which is submitted to AUDE members which ensures the voice of the EAUC and its Members are heard at this strategic level. May 2014 issue.
Filter Trial Results improve air quality, reduce waste, energy consumption and CO2 emissions for Imperial College London – Delivering savings of over £50,000.
Muirhead Tower is a 16-storey building consisting of two tower blocks and a podium base. Completed in 1971, it houses the University of Birmingham College of Social Sciences,...
Andrews Water Heaters, part of Baxi Commercial Division, has supplied two Queen’s Award winning MAXXo direct red storage water heaters, together with a SOLARo pre-heat...
Like many higher education institutions Keele University has a well defined Renewable/Sustainable Energy Strategy.
HEFCE and Salix formed a partnership in 2008 and established a 50:50 investment of £20m. Today, there is approximately a client base of 55 clients
The Project Knowledge Slide area is home to a collection of more than 200 Project Knowledge Slides (PKS) from Recycling Fund and SEELS clients.
In total, Salix supports over 120 technologies work types. A full list of these can be found by clicking on the link below.
This case study demonstrates how d+b facades insulated aluminium rainscreen overcladding, replacement windows and single ply overroofing at The Bournemouth and Poole College.
This case study describes how d+b facades transformed poor accommodation into a contemporary learning environment.
A presentation from the EAUC annual conference 2014 on sustainable university retrofits: challenges, opportunities, user engagement and lessons learned.
A presentation about BREEAM New Construction 2011 with an overview of the changes introduced, the 2014 changes to energy efficiency requirements and the responsible sourcing of...
A summary document from AUDE about the Shaping Agendas report, plus the report itself, which provides further information on the relevant issues to higher education estates.
Open to staff, students or external individuals, the EAUC Scotland Team proudly presented the second EAUC Scotland Conference in Glasgow on 20 February 2014.
Victoria University students undertook the green challenge of converting a heritage listed house into a sustainable EcoLiving Centre, the first of its kind in Melbourne’s...
The Solar Decathlon Competition challenges teams of university students to design, build and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient and attractive.
GLEE, the University of Bradford’s Student Experience enhancement project that has radically improved the old, inefficient learning environment of the City Campus Library.
This facility will provide unique curriculum and learning opportunities for further and higher education and for research and development throughout Belfast and Northern Ireland.
The Rosalind Franklin refurbishment has been a cornerstone in the School of Science and Technology teaching and learning facilities at Nottingham Trent University.
The Manchester College upcycled a derelict Grade 2 listed public baths building, designed by renowned architect Henry Price in 1910
It's very common for buildings to be lit up, heated and cooled even when there is nobody using them. This may be an obvious area to consider when reducing energy costs, but...
This report helps inform and monitor the implementation of BREEAM and shows the scheme and rating for BREEAM developments in the UK
The data is collected annually and submitted to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, providing high quality benchmarking statistics critical to good estate management.
This case study demonstrates how d+b facades helped the University of Glasgow improve their library building
This case study describes how d+b facades refurbished Chelmsford College with aluminium rainscreens, doors and high performance timber-aluminium composite replacement windows.
A quarterly briefing paper which is submitted to AUDE members which ensures the voice of the EAUC and its Members are heard at this strategic level. November 2013 issue.
BRE Global have developed a number of free resources online covering a range of areas to help you and your understanding of BREEAM. These training webinars are typically short,...
This case study demonstrates how d+b facades provided Imperial College London with aluminium rainscreen overcladding and high-performance replacement windows.