National Sustainability Champions
The University of Bradford has been named Building Performance Champion, for the second time, for its pioneering Ecoversity programme at the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Building Performance Awards 2017.
The university’s department of estates and facilities came out on top at a tightly contested awards, held at the Royal Grosvenor Hotel, London, thanks to transformational work on its aging estates infrastructure over the last decade – reducing its carbon footprint by a stunning 35%, and becoming the only university in the world to maintain three ‘BREEAM Outstanding’ rated buildings in its portfolio.
Also victorious in the Facilities Management Team Award, the University of Bradford entry was commended for its approach to tackling inherent problems within its large stock of legacy buildings dating from the 1960s and 70s, including poor thermal performance, asbestos and large expanses of single glazing. By overcoming practical and organisational challenges, the University cut utility costs by 27 per cent in a market that has risen 90 per cent, and saved £8 million over ten years.
The judges were impressed with the University’s long-term strategy, which involves engaging stakeholders from all areas of the campus and implementing an extremely robust Building Energy Management System, which delivers high quality in-use performance data. Other features of the strategy include LED lighting and controls installation; replacing transformers and pumps; engineering and control improvements to the district heating network; expanding the BEMS, and reviewing and optimising compressed air.
John Field, President of CIBSE, said: “This year’s Champions, the University of Bradford, embody what it means to truly strive for building performance, achieving success in the face of adversity through sheer will and commitment to deliver the best.”
"We are all very proud of this accolade not least because it is a team award. We are the only university ever to win this award for a second time and it really does underline our commitment to embedding sustainable development across everything that we do." - Russell Smith, Head of Estates
The awards were collected by Andrew Chadwick and Henry Turasz. Further information is available to read on the CIBSE website (external link).