Lancaster Uni arts facility gains energy rating
The new £10m Lancaster Institute for Contemporary Arts has gained an outstanding BRE Environmental Assessment Method accreditation.
Work finished on the 32,000 sq ft building in March and includes performance and workshop spaces to support teaching and research in art, design, film studies, music and theatre studies.
Designed by the Manchester office of architecture practice Sheppard Robson, the facility contains an exploratory design research lab known as Imagination.
Morgan Sindall won a £4.5m contract in September 2009 to build the facility on behalf of Lancaster University.
The project team also included mechanical and electrical engineers Hoare Lea & Partners, structural engineers SKM Consulting, while Eurban Construction was appointed for the timber structure design and construction.
Ian White Associates, as landscape architects, and Ralph Capper Interiors were also contractors on the scheme.
James Jones, associate at Sheppard Robson, said: "From the outset the LICA project was an exercise in the architectural effects of material, natural light and sustainability as much as the creation of efficient, functional space. It was great to work with a client as fascinated with these questions as we are. The university's bold decision to embrace cross-laminated timber construction has been duly rewarded with the achievement of this first higher education BREEAM Outstanding rating."
Mark Swindlehurst, Lancaster University director of facilities, added: "As part of a £350m investment into the campus, Lancaster has so far delivered nine new buildings which have been rated BREEAM Excellent and is also implementing dozens of projects to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% over the next three years."
