Penryn, Cornwall, UK.
The building provides lecture rooms and other teaching spaces, recording and photographic studios, laboratories, admin areas, students' union facilities and associated services on the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) Campus. It achieved BREEAM "Very Good" environmental grading, features including biomass energy and extensive green roof with wild flower seed mix.
The project was developed in a design-and-build partnership from an earlier design by others, but with significant value-engineering and re-design to bring within budget (final cost £14m, previously costed at £21m), whilst maintaining the equivalent accommodation.
Natural ventilation and daylighting were maximised, solar shading incorporated to reduce solar gain, and native-species-rich green roof helped with rainwater attenuation and run-off as well as enriching the habitat opportunities on campus. The building form worked closely with the existing topography to minimise ground engineering works.
