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MAN 9 Publication of Building Information

The Greater Belfast Development at Ulster University is a large-scale project aimed at expanding the university's presence in the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

21st century University Campus in Belfast

Ulster University’s Greater Belfast Development (GBD) project will create an exemplar 21st century University Campus in Belfast to promote the core activities of teaching, learning, research and innovation while promoting access to higher education.

The building consists of approximately 76,670m2 of new accommodation across three sites adjacent to the University’s existing Block BA.

Bound by York, Donegall and Frederick Streets and York Lane, the buildings range in size from between four and eleven storeys creating a new important complex of civic buildings for the city.

The new Block BC

The new Block BC consists of a number of blocks of varying heights (up to a maximum of 12 storeys above street level) spaced by a number of central enclosed atria.

The building fronts York Street at its widest point and narrows as it moves along Frederick Street toward its narrowest point at its North West end. Internally the narrower portion of the building is generally research and laboratory space with the wider portion of the building being utilised for generic teaching and learning spaces and associated staff accommodation.

The building has a varying depth basement across a large portion of its footprint which is utilised for plant space and to accommodate large teaching spaces. Other plant spaces are located at roof level (an advance piling contract for the basement works will have taken place prior to these works commencing – Works Package 3).

The building consists of a concrete frame with precast concrete floor slabs with curtain walling/brickwork cladding.

The roofs

The roofs are generally flat concrete slab with a mixture of green roofs and rubberised bitumen membrane flat roof coverings.

Internally the building will be fully fitted out including raised access floors, internal walls, doors, finishes, fittings and fixtures; and building services installations. Testing, commissioning and BISRA soft landing provisions are also included.

The new Block BD

The new Block BD consists of a generally single height block of 5 storeys fronting York Street with a lantern block at the corner of York Street and Donegall Street rising to 8 storeys.

The demolition of the existing Orpheus and Metropole House buildings together with the existing bridge link was included within the works.

The building will mainly house teaching space and administration together with the University Boardroom and Academy Restaurant. The building consists of a concrete frame with precast concrete floor slabs and curtain walling/brickwork cladding.

The roofs are generally flat concrete slab with a mixture of green roofs and rubberised bitumen membrane flat roof coverings. Internally the building will be fully fitted out including raised access floors, internal walls, doors, finishes, fittings and fixtures and building services installations.

Bridge Link

The existing bridge link across York Street was demolished and a new bridge link was installed as part of the works which connects the blocks on both sides of York Street.

Key Building Information

  • Gross floor areas;
    • BC 55,000 m2
    • BD 11,270m2
    • BB 7,800 m2
    • BA 2,600 m2
  • Belfast Campus Total Floor Area – 76,670m2.
  • Total area of site – 3.5 hectares.
  • Area of Function spaces- 1980m2.
  • Area of circulation (m2)- In this building the circulation is divided between corridors and “spaces between” which are widened out spaces which can be used for soft seating, informal work-places, casual meeting places etc. The traditional “area of circulation” does not reflect this design approach.
  • Area of storage – 768m2 (excludes filing and personal storage).
  • Area of buildings to be used by community (where relevant)- The buildings are designed to encourage public/community use and access, with most of Building BC level 0 openly accessible, including cafes, gallery, exhibition spaces etc. Within BD there are two bookable flexible lecture rooms.
  • Street Level external areas are within the public realm.
  • Predicted total energy use- 57.84 kWh/m2.
  • Energy sources-
    • Main heating fuel is natural gas, with Photovoltaic contribution of 1.87 kWh/m2
  • Predicted Electricity consumption – 57.84 kWh/m2
  • Predicted Renewable Energy Generation – 1.87 kWh/m2

BREEAM Rating and score

The BREEAM UK New Construction scheme is a performance-based assessment method and certification scheme for new buildings.

The primary aim of BREEAM UK New Construction is to mitigate the life cycle impacts of new buildings on the environment in a robust and cost-effective manner. This is achieved through integration and use of the scheme by clients and their project teams at key stages in the design and construction process.

Clients can measure, evaluate and reflect the performance of their new building against best practice.

The University set a target rating of Excellent for the scheme in the brief, with Block BB (completed and certified in 2016) and now Block BC and BD operational.

Progress has been monitored monthly throughout the development of the scheme, and the current anticipated score of in the mid-70%s, this will see the project meet the Excellent target.

The BREEAM certification at BCBD supports the University’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals linked to:

The key innovative and low-impact design features of the building support the University’s drive to reduce energy, water while providing renewable energy and therefore reducing carbon in operation, all while prioritising the student’s health and wellbeing in the learning environment and supporting NI’s Biodiversity Strategy.

Project Specifics

The project specifics include:

  • Rainwater is disposed of via Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDS), using a vegetation planted Brown roof and underground tank to attenuate the discharge to the public mains.
  • Photovoltaic (PV) panels, generating up to 138kWh/m2 of energy, supplementing the 305kWh/m2 of CHP capacity.
  • Natural ventilation strategy in part of the building, with both automated and user controls
  • Green (brown sedum) roof
  • Cycle parking
  • Lifts with energy regeneration
  • Urinals with PIR sensor flushing.
  • Building products e.g., paints all containing low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • Design emissions are 16.57Kg/CO2/m2 against a maximum permitted emissions level of 20.28Kg/CO2/m2. The building passes Part L2A 2010 by a margin of +19%.
  • The energy performance certificate (EPC) delivers a result of 38 (B), within the mandatory target of 40 required for a BREEAM Excellent rating.

Reducing Environmental Impacts

During the construction process steps were taken to reduce environmental impacts, by means of innovative construction management techniques and;

  • The contractor was accredited to ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management).
  • The project was subject to a site-specific Environmental Risk Assessment, which in turn enabled the development and implementation of a bespoke Environmental Plan.
  • The contractors were part of the Considerate Constructor’s scheme which aimed to divert a high percentage of the construction waste from landfill.

Social and Economically Sustainable Measures

In addition, a number of social and economically sustainable measures were implemented:

  • The Contractor achieved a gold award under the Considerate Constructor’s scheme for their management of the site and community engagement.
  • The Contractor facilitated a number of site visits by local schools and UU Students
  • Guided tours were given to City Councillors, Politicians & Professional bodies from the construction industry.
  • The construction workforce benefitted from the introduction of health and wellbeing initiatives during the project construction e.g. health screening consultations, healthy eating initiatives, training on use of sunscreen products etc.
  • During the project delivery there was a social commitment towards recruitment of the long-term unemployed. In excess of 5,300 person/weeks of apprenticeships, student internships and long-term unemployed return-to-work opportunities were given.

Approximately 30% of the building will be open to the public periodically through various outreach & public access events in the form of open days, public lecture theatres, end of year shows, etc.

Sustainability at Ulster University

Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance. Further information on Sustainability at Ulster University can be found using the following link;