Sustainable Building Design
Harper Adams University College is committed to using sustainable technologies in building design.
Low Carbon building for Countryside, Environment, Leisure and Tourism courses (CELT)
The Countryside, Environment, Leisure and Tourism (CELT) Resource Building is a low carbon, timber framed teaching and equipment storage building, purposefully designed to showcase construction methods that have environmental, time, cost and practical benefits. Making extensive use of locally sourced materials the building allows the students to directly connect learning with their teaching environment. Through a research collaboration with WRAP and Vital Earth we are integrating novel methods of providing green roofs and increasing biodiversity. This unique and highly-effective teaching environment proves that sustainable design is possible with tight budgets on small projects.
Bamford Library
The modern, eco-friendly Bamford Library has provided a significant investment in the future of all our students. The building, in the centre of the campus, is designed to be conducive to study and houses a wide range of learning resources and services. A computer controlled natural ventilation system lighting that responds to ambient light levels has made the library an environmentally friendly addition to the College campus.
The building's toilets are connected to a rainwater harvesting system. Rainwater is collected from the roof and stored in a large underground tank. When rainwater is available, it is pumped to the lavatory system. In dry periods, the system is bypassed and the College's normal water supply is used.
Photovoltaics as an alternative energy source
halls of residence
The College installed a 10 kWp photovoltaic SolarTile array on a new student hall of residence which opened in September 2006. Photovoltaics (PV), or solar cells, are semiconductor devices that convert sunlight into direct current electricity. Groups of these cells are electrically configured into modules and arrays, from which the electricity can be stored in a battery or used on the national grid. Advantages of PVs are that they create no noise, have zero emissions, and they require minimal maintenance because there are no moving parts. The product, which was developed by Marley Eternit with Southampton University, is building mounted, which means the tile integrates with the surrounding roof to produce an unobtrusive and aesthetically pleasing system with a long functional life.
The new accommodation, which houses 150 students, is in a central position on campus and provides an ideal location for the promotion of photovoltaic systems to students, staff and visitors. Monitoring and display information is also being introduced to raise awareness of the amount of electricity and the carbon savings the system produces.
