Wimbledon Studios – the most sustainable building at UAL
UAL is planning to invest more than £1.9 million on electrical and mechanical maintenance in 2017/18 to ensure non-residential university buildings support our outstanding learning, teaching and research. The university plans to embed sustainability within the institution by investing in efficient equipment, negating the need for additional resources to be spent on retrofitting energy conservation measures to reduce our carbon footprint.
To maximise this opportunity, the Estates Department has introduced key design concepts to ensure, when mechanical and electrical assets are repaired or replaced, best practice is followed and minimum standards of performance are delivered.
It is an extension of what the Estates Department previously provided to third parties with regard to design advice and sustainability via the UAL Design Brief for Sustainability. This produced positive results and UAL’s first ever BREEAM ‘outstanding’ building, which recently added two further awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects to its burgeoning collection.
To maximise the usefulness of the document, all approved contractors will be expected to comply with particular requirements when preparing any information that affects building engineering services. If you’re interested in finding out how electrical and mechanical maintenance should be conducted university-wide, download this document.
Project work standardisation
In line with best practice, building regulations, British Standards and relevant design codes, the Estates Department has led the creation of a reference document to allow for the standardisation of project work (which saves money) and the delivery of energy efficient equipment (reducing carbon emissions).
Other benefits to the organisation include:
· Installing energy efficient lighting with a standard approach to controls
· A mechanism for approving variations to design elements in consultation with key stakeholders
· Ensuring heating, ventilation and cooling equipment is listed on the ‘Energy Technology List’ – the largest single resource of energy efficiency equipment available on the market.
Interested in helping? The newly formed Sustainability Working Group meets four times a year – contact Head of Sustainability Ian Lane for more details. Email Rebecca Smart, Energy Data Support Officer, to receive a detailed monthly breakdown of how UAL is performing in terms of carbon emissions per building. Don’t forget the latest consumption data is always available via www.ualcarbondashboard.com.
