Bournville College set to build green campus

• Mar. 12 by Adam Hartland (1)

The new Bournville College campus is utilising the latest in technological advancements to make the build as environmentally friendly as possible

The 66 million pound project is due for completion in the summer of 2010.

To allow for the most efficient build Bournville College is currently relocating to an all new green environment, which will eventually house up to 15,000 young students in Birmingham.

The building itself has been designed to achieve the BRE EAM (Building research establishment Environmental Assessment Method) “Excellent” rating.

David Collins, assistant principle: Estates, at Bournville College pin pointed some of the key criteria which will aid them when meeting the standards of an “Excellent” rating.

1 Aim to connect the building to a district heating system in a later development phase

2 Rainwater harvesting

3 No general office air conditioning - classrooms designed around a heat sink affect – exposed concrete soffits take in heat during the day and let this out at night.

4 Transport plan – there is only a relatively small amount of on site parking – use to be made of local railway station and bus routes where possible

6 Waste plan – Waste to be re-cycled where possible

Post build won’t be the end for Bournville’s bid to save the environment.

The College is looking at ways to monitor it’s overall energy usage, via electronic displays, allowing them to focus on specific areas of the site, lowering their energy usage levels.