The rating from BREEAM – the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method - puts the building in the top 10 per cent of new non-domestic buildings in the UK.
Green initiatives in the purpose-built bricklaying and plastering skills centre on the college’s King’s Hedges campus include LED lighting, solar panels, green boilers and solar-controlled glazing on windows to prevent overheating in the building.
The college has also carried out planting works to encourage growth and mitigate loss of vegetation by the build, installed cycle shelters and shower facilities to encourage staff and students to cycle to the college and provided bird and bat boxes, as well as insect boxes.
It is the second college building to be rated excellent for its environmentally-friendly design and construction – the first was awarded to the innovative SmartLIFE Low Carbon Centre, where green construction techniques and skills are taught to students and construction trades professionals.
Trevor Smith, Director of Facilities and Estates (pictured with one of the insect boxes), said: “We’re delighted to have received an excellent ‘green’ rating for out latest building. As a college we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and have been carrying out initiatives all over the college, as well as in the construction skills centre, which has seen us save money as well as energy.
“Installing LED lights has had a big impact on our electricity costs, but we feel it is also important to pay attention to the smaller details and installing boxes for bats, birds and insects helps us lessen our impact on wildlife in the area.”
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MEDIA ENQUIRIES
For more information, please contact Lynn O’Shea, Cambridge Regional College Press Officer, on 01223 418773 or email loshea@camre.ac.uk
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