University of Southampton - Examples of low carbon new build and retrofit

Talk and tour by the architect and project manager of two low carbon building projects at the University of Southampton.

The first, the recently completed Student Services Building, incorporates low carbon features and was highly commended in the University sector Green Gown Awards in 2005; while the second, The Faraday Building, is a complete retrofit of an older building to modern low carbon standards. The tour will show the first of these only, as works are at an early stage on the second project, and so is unsuitable for visits. The architect will then talk about the challenges of retrofitting the Faraday Building and will be followed by the workshop to explore the issues of building and retrofitting low carbon buildings.

The Student Services Building is the most recent building designed underthe leadership of Russel Hayden during his 10 years with Nicholas Hare Architects. Although not BREAAM assessed, the University positively encouraged the incorporation of a good number of sustainable initiatives.

The practice has always viewed environmental issues to be a key aspect of building design, most importantly in their consideration at concept stage. A different set of challenges exists now for the refurbishment of the
1960s built Faraday Tower, also on the University's Highfield Campus, and currently at detailed design stage.

You can find out information about the Student Services Building by going to: http://www.soton.ac.uk/susdev/buildings/index.html and you can find out about the Green Gown awards by going to: http://www.heepi.org.uk/.

Tour hosts:

Russel Hayden
Nicholas Hare Architects

John Brightwell
Programme Management Unit, University of Southampton