Edge Hill scoops top green award from West Lancashire Council

Edge Hill University has been named as the winner of Green Eco category of the West Lancashire Design Awards 2009.

The judges visited Edge Hill in June 2009 and considered the University's £14 million Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, as well as the newly-opened Business and Law School.

The panel praised both buildings and decided to award the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning the top prize, commenting on the building's successful combination of ‘both a stunning appearance with cutting-edge sustainable and energy saving eco design features'.

David Oldham, Director of Capital Development, said: "This has been a challenging and rewarding project and we are delighted to win this award. Our success is due to the skills of ABW Architects and the team of consultants and contractors, who delivered the project on time and on budget".

The state-of-the-art facility incorporates many unique eco-friendly features and is at the forefront of a drive to reduce the University's carbon footprint. Initiatives include a ‘live energy wall' located in the main entrance of the building. As more energy is used, the wall changes colour, reminding staff and students to turn off computers, lights and other electrical equipment after use.

Renewable technologies are used throughout the building in the form of ground source heat pumps that provide heating and cooling from water abstracted from aquifers 140m below the grounds. Solar thermal collectors, producing water near 80ºC for substantial periods of time from the sun are also used.

Edge Hill University has also been recognised by the Carbon Trust for its green initiatives and has been awarded a six figure grant for this building. It is estimated that the building will reduce campus carbon emissions by at least 20 tonnes per year.

Edge Hill University is the biggest provider of healthcare staff in the North West, with 4000 midwives, nurses and healthcare professionals graduating each year. Operating theatres, clinical skills areas and robot-style mannequins that can simulate everything from pregnancy to a temperature will mean that cutting-edge training will be available to all in the new building.

The building accommodates Faculty of Health staff and students as well as The Solstice Centre, which carries out pioneering work in e-learning.

The West Lancashire Design Awards 2009 will be presented during a glittering ceremony later in the year.