Building Case Study
University of East London Library
Brief description of the project and building:
The University of East London new library will be situated on the University’s main campus, primarily
offering library services to UEL’s students on a 24 hour, 7 days a week basis (with reduced opening
hours in the summer recess). The development has been designed to provide a high quality
educational space adding value to the students’ experience. It will be located on the western
boundary of the university’s main campus adjacent to Water Lane.
The proposed building has been designed over three floors with the ground floor housing all the
necessary administrative features of a library and the upper two floors dedicated to student
activities with open plan book storage layout and study areas, silent study areas, seminar rooms and
open access PC areas.
The key innovative and low-impact design features of the building:
The building has been designed in line with best practice sustainable design standards aiming to
minimise its impact upon, and where possible enhance, the local and wider environment. A site was
selected within the existing University campus with excellent public transport provision, and access
to local amenities. Furthermore, as the project is re-developing an existing site of low ecological
value, the opportunity has been taken to significantly enhance the local ecology and biodiversity
through landscaping and the construction of a green roof.
Document1
1 of 4
Building Case Study
All construction materials, for the building fabric and hard landscaping, were carefully selected to
ensure they have a low environmental impact (including embodied carbon) over the full life cycle of
the building. Further to this, and to help ensure a healthy internal environment, internal finishes and
fittings that adhere to low emission standards for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been
chosen.
Resource efficiency is a paramount concern for the client and fundamental to the adopted lowimpact design approach. The building has been provided with facilities to support effective waste
management, including organic waste composting. Water efficiency is supported through this
installation of low use fittings and a rainwater harvesting system servicing the WC/urinal flushing
demand.
Energy efficiency and consideration for the reduction of operational Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions
has been designed into the building through a high performance fabric as well as efficient building
services and control systems. Photovoltaic (PV) panels are installed on the roof to provide a source
of clean renewable energy, and preparations have been made so that in future it may be feasible to
integrate the building within an expansion of the existing Olympics low carbon energy network.
Steps taken during the construction process to reduce environmental impacts:
As principle contractor for this project VolkerFitzpatrick have ensured that the site was managed in
an environmentally and socially considerate and accountable manner. Exemplary level performance
was achieved under the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which independently assesses the impact
of construction works upon the general public, the workforce and the environment.
VolkerFitzpatrick operate an Environmental Management System certified to ISO 14001 standard,
and employ effective procedures for managing and minimising air (dust) pollution arising from and
water (ground and surface) pollution occurring on the site. In working with their supply chain
VolkerFitzpatrick helped ensure construction material can be responsibly sourced, and procured in
alignment with low impact aspirations.
VolkerFitzpatrick are signed up to the considerate constructors Scheme and are being monitored
regularly with regard to construction waste and environmental matters. Initial reports from the
considerate constructor’s scheme are very positive.
A site management plan was implemented to support the monitoring, reporting and target setting
for energy and water consumption arising, and construction site waste generated, from site
activities. Significant effort has been made with regards the effective and appropriate management
of construction site waste and it is expected that the site will comply with exemplary level
performance criteria, as defined by BREEAM. Whereby the amount of waste generated per 100m2
(gross internal floor area) is <9.2m3 or <4.7tonnes, and where at least 90% by weight (80% by
volume) of non-hazardous construction waste generated by the build has been diverted from
landfill.
Document1
2 of 4
Building Case Study
Social or economically sustainable measures achieved/piloted:
VolkerFitzpatrick have embarked on a series of community engagements including newsletters to
local residents. In addition VolkerFitzpatrick have been in contact with the local primary school to
interact with the pupils with the aim of raising awareness of site safety issues.
The building has environmental performance at the heart of its design with low energy systems
incorporated in the build along with the inclusion of photovoltaic solar panels helping to reduce the
buildings carbon footprint by 20%. On completion the building will incorporate continual energy
monitoring the results of which will be displayed within the entrance area demonstrating the carbon
savings made to the building users and occupants.
VolkerFitzpatrick as a part of the considerate contractor’s scheme have committed to employ local
labour and encourage their sub-contract supply chain to offer apprenticeships to local candidates. In
addition VolkerFitzpatrick are also committed to sourcing local materials wherever possible with the
aim of reducing the projects carbon footprint and additionally having a positive effect on the local
economy.
The following table contains statistics relating to the performance of the building:
BREEAM rating and score
Excellent, >70%
Contract sum
£8.9m
Basic building cost
£6.9m
Services cost
£2.2m
External works cost
£0.4m
Gross floor area
4259m2
Total area of site (hectares)
0.29 ha
Function areas and their size
Library: 728m2
Study: 709m2
Training: 296m2
Area of circulation
1055m2
Area of storage
41.4m2
Predicted electricity consumption (kWh/m2)
57.63 (total reg and unreg)
Predicted fossil fuel consumption (kWh/m2)
20.74 (total reg and unreg)
Predicted renewable fuel consumption (kWh/m2)
13.11
Predicted water use m3/person/year
6.56
% predicted water use to be provided by rainwater
13%
Document1
3 of 4
Building Case Study
Project team:
Construction Project Manager
Jones Lang LaSalle
Lead Designer
Hopkins
Constructor
VolkerFitzpatrick Ltd
Quantity Surveyor
Turner and Townsend
Structural Engineer
Expedition Engineering Ltd / Whelan & Grant
Services Engineer
AECOM / IMTECH AQUA
Document1
4 of 4