Creating a future-ready hub for engineering excellence
Success story: Arup & The University of Manchester
BREEAM EXCELLENT RATED BUILDING
50% POTENTIAL REDUCTION IN ENERGY CONSUMPTION
40% PREDICTED ANNUAL CARBON REDUCTION IN THE FIRST YEAR
Both the largest home for engineering in any UK university and the largest construction project ever completed by a higher education institution within the country, the Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) unites four engineering and material science departments into one coherent facility, helping the University of Manchester achieve its goal of becoming one of the top 25 research universities in the world. Arup has been advising on the campus since 2014 delivering multidisciplinary and specialist engineering services and have been retained throughout the entire project including post-occupancy support.
Bringing the University closer to its commitment to be net zero carbon by 2038, MECD has 50% lower predicted energy use than the existing buildings it replaces and 40% lower carbon emissions.
High-performance façades, natural ventilation and a mixed-mode solution at scale reduces energy demand in a fabric-first approach which will maximise energy and carbon savings in the long term. Testing many scenarios, we substantially optimised and reduced embodied carbon within the building structure and foundations, providing stringent performance requirements for vibration and the University’s future adaptability and flexibility requirements. Some 97% of deconstruction materials were recovered for reuse. Smart use of space reduced the floor area needed for technical spaces by 40% versus existing facilities.
Arup, an employee owned collective of designers, planners and advisors, has long had shaping a better world as our central purpose. We are therefore proud to be part of the Partnership, working with fellow partners, including the University of Manchester, to help Manchester play its full part in taking climate action and building a green city where everyone can thrive.”
Mike Wilton, Director and Manchester Officer Leader, Arup