The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Model (BREEAM) award was given to the £46 million library on the University’s Luton campus, in recognition that it has met the best practice standards for environmental performance of buildings through its design, specification, construction and operation.

Since construction began in 2014, the sustainability of the new library has been high on the agenda, with a target of a BREEAM excellent rating – which has now successfully been achieved. To get a rating of excellent the building scored more than 70% of the total available scores against the BREEAM methodology.

Bill Rammell Vice Chancellor at the University said: “We are delighted with this award. It is great to see that the commitment we have put in to tackling sustainability here at the University of Bedfordshire has been recognised.”

Despite the creation of new facilities, including the library, the University has still managed to considerably reduce its carbon emissions.

Designed by mosescameronwilliams architects and built by Willmott Dixon, the library opened in October 2016. The highest standards of sustainable design and construction were put in place to ensure its environmental performance. These included:

• Areas benefiting from natural daylight have daylight sensing to save energy
• Rainwater harvesting provides water to flush toilets on two floors
• There is a water leak detection system
• 240 square metres of sedum green roof on the building
• Photovoltaic Panels which generate zero carbon emissions electricity

The University received a plaque to mark its success in meeting the standards of excellence for the BREEAM award.

BREEAM first launched in the UK in 1990. It sets best practice standards for the environmental performance of buildings through design, specification, construction and operation.