A new low carbon teaching building designed by Austin-Smith:Lord, which was the first in the UK to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating under the BREEAM (2014) design and construction assessment process, has been awarded a prestigious Green Gown Award. These awards recognise the exceptional sustainability initiatives that are being undertaken by universities, colleges and the learning and skills sectors across the UK and Ireland.

The South Lanarkshire College Low Carbon Teaching Building was successful in the Built Environment category with Judges commenting:

“It has inspired students and other users to adopt more sustainable behaviours and approaches, reflecting the College’s philosophy to “mainstream sustainability”.

In addition to Solar PVs, an energy-efficient external envelope, and a ground source heat pump, innovative features include solar chimneys; recycled paper insulation; re-used cycle racks from the Commonwealth Games and an integrated bicycle repair station.

This is a step change in design to produce a low-energy, low-carbon, low-resource building, informed by helpful lessons learned from the College’s own award-winning, low-energy, low-carbon house initiative.”

Meanwhile, pupils have started to occupy a new £30 million secondary school in Carmarthenshire designed by the firm which has been rated BREEAM excellent at design stage.

The Bro Dinefwr school at Ffairfach near Llandeilo will cater for 1,200 pupils in the area, including a 200-pupil sixth form and a 30-place specialist provision for children with additional learning needs. It was delivered in partnership with the Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools programme.

Austin-Smith:Lord Partner, Iain Wylie commented: “These education projects reflect the integrated approach to sustainability that we apply to all our work across different sectors of the built environment. With each new project, we develop our knowledge and expertise in passive sustainable design, embracing and incorporating the latest technologies, where appropriate.”