Built Environment and BREEAM
The University aims to reduce its energy use by 35% by 2020 and a significant contributor to this target will be the improved energy efficiency of new builds and refurbishments.
BREEAM
The Building Research Establishments Environmental Assessment Method The University has adopted BREEAM as its framework to drive forward the environmental agenda in the University's new build and refurbishment programmes. BREEAM is one of the only accredited assessment tools in terms of measuring how 'environmental' a new building is.
BREEAM Assessment
More details on BREEAM can be found at BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) on one of its new builds.
The BREEAM assessment looks at the following key areas, of management of the project, energy use, health and well-being, pollution, transport, land use, ecology, materials used and water consumption.
The assessment gives credits for each of the key areas, and this in turn gives an overall rating of the building of, Pass, Good, Very Good or Excellent. The University has set a target of achieving Excellent for new Builds and Very Good for refurbishments. The buildings will also undergo two assessments, one at final design stage and one at completion of build.
To date five buildings have started going through this process and are on target, the new 'Mews' Building at Langford - Target Excellent The Arts Regeneration project - Target Very Good The Social Sciences and Commons refurbishment - Target Very Good The new Maths Building - Target Excellent The new Biosciences Building - Target Excellent
The Mews Building and Arts Regeneration projects are further on in the process and are achieving 40% energy reductions compared to what would have been built a few years ago. Once the projects have progressed past design stage further details will be released on what environmental features of each building.
Dolberry Building - Achieved BREEAM Excellent
Arts Department Regeneration Project - Achieved BREEAM Excellent; target was Breeam Very Good
Graduate School of Education - Achieved BREEAM Excellent
Social Sciences Extension Project - Achieved BREEAM Very Good.
Grounds and Gardens
The University occupies a range of sites across the city, from the main precinct in the city centre to Halls of Residence by the downs. Within these areas the University has a range of gardens, open space, woodland and wetland areas. These are managed by Grounds services and cover over 50 hectares of land in total.
Grounds Services have developed a range of environmentally sound policies.
The management of the gardens ensures that a diversity of plants is grown. This allows for bio-diversity at all levels, within what is often a predominantly urban environment.
Several examples of this system can be identified: the planting of Sorbus bristoliensis, for example, which is a relatively rare local tree. Additionally the maintenance of woodland edges has seen the establishment of plants such as twayblades, pyramidal and the 'Lady's Tresses' orchid.
In the various summer meadow (wildflower) areas, plants such as the snake head fritillary and oxlips may be found.
Grounds Services have been able to establish badger reserves together with the provision of artificial sets as one way of showing concern for the environment.
Water features are extremely important environments in the gardens, providing habitats for aquatic flora and fauna at a time when such conditions are becoming less available in the countryside.
The advantage of developing these systems is that gardens have differing aspects and requirements: from historic, formal (and maintained for conservation) to open spaces, summer meadow, (and environmentally stimulating).
Further information can be seen on Grounds Services webpage
Note: some of the documents on this page are in PDF format. In order to view a PDF you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 