Design & Environment

The Hive aspires to provide a carbon neutral delivery of services, in line with the County Council's Carbon Management Plan and the University's environmental objectives.

Ventilation & Cooling system
We have set challenging targets for energy performance, emissions reductions, water management, use of recycled materials and adaptation to climate change. The outcome is a building which will set a new standard for the sustainable design and construction of public buildings in the PFI sector and beyond. Natural sources of daylight and cooling will be utilised, with the seven "pyramid" roof cones acting as a natural ventilator, and water from the river Severn being extracted by coils and circulated within the centre.

Water saving measures and rainwater harvesting will reduce mains water consumption, to an estimated 1.3m2/person, compared with the usual 5m3/person.

CO2 emissions are predicted to emit 15.8kg CO2/m2/yr, which is a 50% reduction in Part L2 Building Regulations requirements. A typical library emits 61kg CO2/m2/yr.

Due to the building's location, we have incorporated flood alleviation measures into the overall site design. The building is being constructed above the 100-year flood plane, which takes into account the predicted impact of climate change. The design team have created a large grassed and planted open space on the western side of the site to help absorb flood water from the river, developing an ecologically friendly area which provides a natural habitat within the City encouraging plant, animal and bird life which is characteristic to Worcestershire.

Our commitment to source and procure materials from the local supply chain means the creation of the building will stimulate the local economy at a much needed time. The principal wall and roof finish is copper aluminium alloy (TECU), which is very durable and easily recycled.

The building and its landscape setting are as much a part of the learning resource and discovery experience as the books, archives and exhibits within the building. The shape of the building creates a skyline which is reminiscent of the Malvern Hills and of the pottery kilns of Worcester porcelain.

Construction Cost Analysis [PDF]

The Hive

Environmental assessment - Predicted BREEAM “Excellent”

Heating – 700kw biomass boiler, local fuel supply

Ventilation - Primarily naturally ventilated

Cooling - River water cooling

Emissions - 50% reduction on Part L2 Building Regulations, 15.8kg CO2/m2/yr

Water management - Water saving and rainwater harvesting, mains water consumption reduced by 75%

Materials - recycled content of the construction (by value) will be at least 22%

Climate impact - Building comfort conditions calculated for predicted weather conditions in the years 2020 and 2050

Structure - thermal mass of the concrete structure assists heating and cooling. Concrete has reduced cement content for a lower environmental impact

Landscape - soft landscape provides public amenity, enhances the urban ecology and adds to the buildings environmental performance

Galliford Try's Design Team

Galliford Try's high quality design team consists of:

Architects:
Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios LLP
Environmental and Building Services Engineers:
Max Fordham Consulting Engineers
Structural Engineers:
Hyder Consulting
Landscape Architects:
Grant Associates

View the Detailed Design Statement, created by the Joint Project Team, which Galliford Try based their proposal on.

Key Fact

Naturally ventilated, the building will be heated using biomass boilers and use water from the River Severn to provide supplementary cooling, creating a low energy healthy environment.

Key Fact

The building has been modelled and tested in wind tunnels at Cardiff University to make sure the natural ventilation system works.