Rising to the university retrofit challenge in the quest for net zero
Balancing budgets, sustainability targets and the maintenance of a modern university campus is a complex challenge requiring bold thinking. Yet some of the answers may lie in the environment the estate serves. Kieran Dyer, director at multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard, explores the unique opportunities offered to universities to lead the way when new build is not the answer.
They say nothing worth doing comes easy - and while retrofitting is rarely a simple solution, in the right hands, it has the potential to achieve a low impact and whole life value solution to upgrading and improving university estates. In this, higher education sites have the potential to contribute significantly to the UK Government’s net zero commitment. That’s if our institutions can see beyond the immediate hurdles of funding gaps and ageing bricks and mortar assets.
Drawing on their proven strengths in establishing successful partnerships and experience in innovation and leadership, universities can turn the retrofit challenge into an opportunity to benefit staff, students and the wider community.
Balancing preservation with progress
Preserving history is important to many university estates, particularly where Grade-listed buildings are concerned. Retrofitting focuses on improving energy efficiency, optimising energy consumption and other resources consumption, and hence reducing waste generation. A sensitive approach is often called for.
It is essential in these situations to balance the purpose and future use of a building with ongoing maintenance requirements and the suitability and integration of energy efficiency measures.
This must be done on a case-by-case basis, due to the varying typologies associated with different building ages. For example, a 1960s estate could be built with a concrete frame and a brick skin, so there must be a strategy to work with that. And, of course, for older buildings, these strategies are often more complex.
Appearance, design and historic significance can still be upheld by working with an original layout and introducing systems that enhance but don’t detract from these original features.
The restoration and finish following an upgrade is also just as important, with traditional materials often used to maintain permeable properties.
Sustainability in design
Retrofitting a building often goes hand-in-hand with expanding and adapting its usefulness. Managing moisture, air and heat in a traditional building has become increasingly important as climate change drives more intense and prolonged temperature and humidity fluctuations. A comfortable internal environment is often a healthier environment too, and ensures these important structures remain viable places to study, work and visit.
Retrofitting in response to the demands of the local environment, as well as climate conditions, can help to protect their future. At Nottingham Trent University, a retrofit and refurbishment programme was carried out at its Belgrave building in the heart of the city to create a dedicated Postgraduate Centre for the business school. Upgrading the site involved architecture, interior design, and landscaping services. As well as becoming a more efficient space from an environmental perspective, the brief was to create a space to fulfil multiple needs and to have the flexibility to evolve over time.
The new facility offers community, social, study, and employability spaces for 1,800-2,200 postgraduate taught students and flexible office space for 50-70 Nottingham Business School postgraduate-related academic and professional services staff. The project achieved SKA bronze certification for sustainability, recognising efforts to preserve the embodied energy of the original building by reusing the original building structure. The approach not only conserved resources but also reduced waste and carbon emissions associated with demolition and new construction.
The associated landscaping scheme was developed to support local wildlife and boost biodiversity. Where existing materials could not be re-used, environmentally friendly materials and systems, such as water-saving fixtures and energy-efficient lighting were sourced to reduce lifetime environmental impact.
Establishing a retrofit plan
Universities are in a unique position when it comes to decarbonisation, being responsible for large, complex estates often in prime locations. Figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show that the 133 providers, which submitted data for 2021-22, released 1.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This presents an opportunity to make a real and meaningful impact, as well as show innovation and leadership in this sphere.
However, ‘The Cost of Net Zero’ report, for higher and further education establishments in the UK, estimates the transition will cost £43.8 billion (£37.1 billion for higher education alone). The research also found the supply chain required the largest investment, followed by the built environment.
Although a massive undertaking, just as bite-sized learning is an effective strategy for busy lives, the same approach can be successfully applied to retrofitting. Bringing professionals on board early to assess estate performance, provide strategic advice and help to build a retrofit plan through small, manageable steps is a vital tool.
In this, retrofit projects must not be about ‘quick fixes’. Bringing about sustainable, long-life improvements means many of these undertakings will require careful and extensive planning and (likely) decades of diligent management, and hence, it is important for estates teams to recognise what the investment will entail.
Similarly, retrofits should also be used to boost efficiency and reduce carbon; again, this needs to be the product of early, specialist engagement and thorough modelling and analysis.
Careful step-by-step planning of retrofits will also support effective budget management. Whether taking on a whole building retrofit or breaking a scheme down into individual measures, our student population is looking for a commitment from universities to decarbonise their campuses.
Working in collaboration with staff, students, industry professionals, topic specialists, local stakeholders and construction contractors will encourage the identification of new and innovative ways to deliver retrofit projects in higher education. The engagement process can also equip students with the skills to take action and find solutions, as well as inspiring their future choices of institution and career.
The journey towards low-impact, future-proofed and whole-life value solutions remains one of learning and discovery. Taking on the retrofit challenge places our universities’ strengths at the heart of change.