Animal Studies Centre
Retrofitting a 1950s building into a low energy, low carbon education facility
Location
Dudley, United Kingdom
Client
Dudley College of Technology
Architect
Cullinan Studio
The Animal Studies Centre is a deep retrofit of a 1950s building which was set to be demolished, transforming it into a new low energy, low carbon education facility on Dudley College of Technology’s Broadway Campus. The facility was created to provide a purpose-built home for their animal care and welfare department, offering hands-on training to provide students the skills they need to oversee the wellbeing of pets, working animals, livestock and wildlife.
The project initially planned for demolition and new build but shifted to refurbishing the existing building, therefore achieving impressive energy efficiency and air permeability, almost hitting new build standards. Structural refurbishment was challenging due to the building's age and lack of existing documentation; however extensive analysis ensured the old structure could handle new loads. Our sustainability team applied interventions such as enhanced wall insulation, roof insulation, windows and airtightness.
Alex Carter, Partner, commented “Whilst promoting structural engineering advocacy for reuse, we were able to collaborate to deliver a very low carbon high quality teaching facility in a deprived area.”
This project was delivered under the IPI delivery framework. This alliancing contract sees the entire design and delivery team, along side the client form a “virtual business” where everyone shares in the success and failings of the project.
