The University recognises the performance in operation, of the vast majority of our buildings, requires close working between the estates' projects team and maintenance staff in order to help us rise to the challenge of meeting our carbon targets.

The Hive when it was under construction.

We aim to provide spaces that enable health, wellbeing and productivity for all our students and staff and have a development and construction policy developed from the Green Building Council delivering better performance review.

We will continue to work with students to help us match their needs to our requirements, utilising estates/curriculum projects where ever possible.

Redundant retail to dynamic art

SKA Gold refurbishment of a listed building

The Art House has brought to life one of Worcester's most iconic buildings making it accessible, efficient and improving the well-being of its users. Constructed in 1939 as the first car showroom for Lord Austin of Austin Motors, the north facing rooflights makes it a most suitable venue for its new purposes providing a magnificent facility for art and design students and community creative projects. It is a centre for children’s creative camps as well as a magnificent space for the University’s many art and illustration students.  Shortlisted in 2019 for a Green Gown award.

Construction and refurbishment targets

Construction and refurbishment SMART targets for 2019/20

  •  Implement RCIS SKA assessment rating for all refurbishment projects over 1000m2
  • Design refurbishment projects to achieve a DEC rating of C as a minimum, but aim for B
  • All university owned buildings to achieve a DEC C rating or above by September 2020

We are working with our construction supply chain to help them map the manufacturing locations of university suppliers and have added in key performance indicators as the start of this process in both smaller contracts and £1m plus contracts.  We have targeted this supply chain because of its relatively high value to begin this work. 

DEC ratings

View our current display energy certificate (DEC) ratings.

All tenderers for new projects are made aware of these objectives and the University’s commitment to sustainability. They are referred to the institution’s Sustainability Construction and Refurbishment Policy and relevant strategies (energy, water, transport waste and biodiversity) and targets.  

Download our full current qualitative and quantitative targets and progress against targets from Carbon Management & Targets page.

Related links