Considered as a Heritage Asset by the University of Nottingham, the sensitive refurbishment has delivered an energy efficient, high quality halls of residence, achieving a BREEAM Very Good rating, without impacting the heritage features that date back to 1928.
The first purpose built Hall of Residence on the University Park Campus, it was also the first Hall at the university to be constructed for female residents – an idea spearheaded by its namesake and funder, Florence Boot.
The University’s wish was for the Hall to be treated as though it was a Listed building. In urgent need of repairs to remain operational and with an ageing service infrastructure, the project had to overcome a number of challenges; to achieve an increase in sanitary accommodation without reducing the number of bed spaces available, and to improve the thermal performance of the building without impacting the heritage appearance externally, or compromising the bedroom sizes internally. Additionally the existing buildings were heavily contaminated with asbestos.
The successful adaptation of several wardens’ apartments allowed several bedrooms to be converted to provide kitchenettes and en-suite accommodation resulting in an increase of bedrooms from 196 to 200 and an increase in kitchenette numbers from 4 to 14.
In order to deliver a highly insulated, low-energy building without impacting the heritage Georgian-style brick exterior, a non-flammable internal insulation approach was instigated. Developed collaboratively with A. Proctor and Rockwool, a hybrid Aerogel insulation and mineral wool solution accommodated the varying nature of bedroom sizes and minimised space intrusion whilst optimising construction costs.
The project has created a more sustainable and comfortable environment for the students and achieving a BREEAM Very Good rating in a 100-year-old building is a remarkable accomplishment, underscoring the team’s commitment to sustainability and environmental performance.
