Student village scores more than 95% at interim assessment

GWP Architecture is on course to achieve the highest ever Breeam rating for its Bradford University student village.

The £40 million development achieved a sustainability score of 95.05% in its interim assessment and was awarded an “outstanding” classification by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), one of only 15 buildings in the world to receive such a rating.

The scheme comprises 1,026 bedrooms across four-storey townhouses and six and seven storey apartments. Construction has now been completed and the BRE will check the finished building again within three months before confirming its assessment.

GWP used a “fabric first” approach to design a building envelope with minimal heating requirements. Hot water is provided by solar thermal collectors and a combined heat and power plant.

Interactive displays allow students to see how much energy or water they are using and compare their energy use with their neighbours. Residents will be taught how to live sustainably, and those that are careful with their energy use will get a rebate on their bills.

The buildings are made of pre-fabricated open panel timber wall frames from a sustainable source. Bathrooms were sourced locally and installed as completed units to reduce waste.