Law School building shortlisted for BREEAM Awards 2016

8-10 Berkeley Square, University of Bristol Law School, seen from the side.

8-10 Berkeley Square will provide new facilities for students

Press release issued: 20 January 2016

A Law School expansion project to refurbish 8-10 Berkeley Square has been shortlisted for the BREEAM Awards 2016 in the category of ‘Office Refurbishment’.

BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for masterplanning projects, infrastructure and buildings. This shortlisting recognises that the project has achieved one of the highest scores under the BREEAM assessment methodology in its class.

Professor Joanne Conaghan, Head of the School commented:

We are really delighted to hear this news. Sustainability really matters to the law school and its students and it is inevitably challenging with older buildings. The design and estates team have been so creative and facilitative; this is well-deserved recognition.

The University of Bristol is refurbishing 8-10 Berkeley Square for occupation by the Law School in 2017. The School has experienced significant growth in recent years and this exciting project will expand the facilities available to students. Plans include:

new tutor and seminar rooms
research suites
a state-of-the-art moot court
a public facing office for its fast-growing pro-bono clinic
an admin hub

The project follows the £3.1 million refurbishment of the Wills Memorial Library in 2013 and reflects the Law School’s ambition to provide students with the very best blend of tradition and innovation. The intention of the Berkeley Square refurbishment is to create a contemporary space whilst achieving the most sustainable design and construction possible.

Patrick Finch, Bursar and Director of Estates commented:

Being shortlisted is a fantastic achievement. The Berkeley Square project is complex involving as it does the renovation and fit out of Grade II* and Grade II listed properties in one of Bristol’s most attractive squares. It is a testimony to the University’s Capital Project team and to the external project team led by Jones Lang LaSalle that we have been able to meet our environmental aspirations. A great deal of diligence had gone into the development of the specification for the renovation, for which it is thrilling to have this external recognition.

The challenge for the team now is to maintain the standard as we progress through construction during 2016.