Sustainability FAQ

This section shows some of the measures taken to ensure the environmental impact of the Forum building is being minimised through design and methodology. For more information about Sustainability at the University of Exeter please visit the Sustainability Homepage.

If you have any further comments, queries or questions, please contact the Forum Project Team

How environmentally friendly is the new development? 

We have ensured that construction materials have been re-used and recycled where possible, and also used Green Guide ‘A’ rated materials at every possible opportunity. Across the Forum ultra-low carbon cement alternatives have been used where possible. These minimise carbon emissions from cement production by recycling industrial waste products which contain similar chemical elements to traditional cement, thus reducing both pressures on landfill sites and conserving natural resources.

What about the Ecology of the site?

Extensive measures have been taken by the Forum Project Team to anticipate the effects of the development on the local ecology. Extensive measures have been taken to preserve the sites’ ecology for the future. For Example, rare plants, that could be moved were identified and a specialist plant moving company brought in a 'Tree Spade' (Pictured: Right) to relocate these both adjacent to the Forum site and at other points around Streatham Campus.

Rare trees and plants which could not be moved, as far as was practical, were protected using robust tree protection fencing at the boundary of their root protection areas/drip points. University grounds staff took cuttings from the most valuable specimens as an extra measure. It is hoped that once the Forum Project is completed, interpretation boards can be introduced to give walkers more information about the natural environment which surrounds them.

Biodiversity continues to be monitored using a Spring and Summer campus bird survey. The sites were surveyed prior to construction starting and continue to be surveyed throughout the development. Birds were chosen as a good indicator species of the health of the campus ecosystem, their presence indicates the existence of many forms of wildlife and fluctuations in their numbers reflect levels of disturbance well. Monitoring has shown that bird numbers on campus have remained fairly consistent pre and post development.

As well as having intrinsic ecological value through the species diversity represented,  the wide range of habitat varying from woodland scrub/hedge mix, through meadow, marginal and aquatic species will lead to a greater diversity in invertebrates, birds and small mammals present on the site once the Forum is completed.  There will be a significant blossom in species and ecological interest compared to the current site condition.

Will the Forum affect tree numbers?

Great care has been taken when planning the Forum construction works to ensure a minimal number of trees are affected. The removal of trees makes up a part of the planning conditions and these are closely monitored by Exeter City Council as well as our own staff.

There are nearly 9,000 trees on the two Exeter campuses and in one season alone since the Forum has been underway, the University’s ground staff planted 130 new trees and tall shrubs around the Streatham campus. Some will replace diseased or damaged trees and others will enhance our botanical collection. If you are interested in the range of species being planted during the Forum construction please take a look at the planting schedule. Ours is a living landscape where we believe new development and the environment can live side by side, without deterring students who wish to study here.

How will the Forum be energy efficient?

The building fabric and glazing used in the Forum has achieved a level of thermal performance 10% better than that required by building regulations. This will deliver a serious reduction in energy use and CO2 emissions. Below are some of the measures that have been implemented to ensure the building is as sustainable as possible:

• Passive design techniques have been utilised wherever possible and natural ventilation is being used as far as possible to minimise the requirement for mechanical ventilation and mechanical cooling.
• Heat recovery and plate heat exchangers on ventilation plants have been introduced to reduce fresh air heating.
• Low energy displacement ventilation systems will be used to account for intermittent variable usage. Variable speed ventilation and pumping systems will also be used to reduce power consumption.
• Earth tubes are being buried below the street area to pre-cool or pre-heat the outside air entering the building during the summer and winter months respectively.

• Rainwater recycling systems and water efficient fittings make sure the water usage of the building is minimized. Whilst a swale system provides a natural water polishing facility.
• Creation of bio-swales and wetland attenuation areas will include a diverse range of native meadow, marginal and aquatic species.
• Ground Source heat pumps will be used to provide high efficiency, low global warming effect heating and cooling to the new Forum building and the refurbished library.
• Intelligent automatic control systems will be in place to reliably monitor and control heating, ventilation, air conditioning and light systems, including sub-metering of significant energy and water uses.
• The integration of the Forum building and the existing main heating and cooling systems in the library will maximise the benefit of the new high efficiency and low carbon technology plant.
• New high efficiency gas condensing boilers will serve both the library and the Forum Buildings and the existing library chiller will be reconfigured to provide more efficient performance.

How will CO2 be reduced??

Cement replacements used in the construction of the building are an ultra-low carbon emission alternative to traditional cement. The building fabric and glazing exceed the minimum Building Regulation Standards, reducing energy use and carbon emissions by 10% over and above the minimum standards. The energy efficient lighting and heating / cooling provisions will also reduce our CO2 emissions considerably. The provisions being made for cyclists and walkers will also go a significant way to reducing the CO2 ‘footprint’ of the building.

What provisions have been made for cyclists and walkers?

The Forum development will provide over a hundred extra cycle spaces, plus showers and lockers, to promote cycling and walking. The new piazzas will create a more pedestrian focus to central campus.  A map detailing the locations of the sites is also available. 

What provisions are being made for waste disposal? 

Sir Robert McAlpine take measures to insure any waste produced by the site is dealt with in a sustainable manner. Of the waste produced by the Forum construction 89% is diverted from landfil to recovery and recycling solutions. In total to date around 35080 tonnes of waste have been recovered.

Additionally recycling bins are being placed in strategic locations around the forum building to facilitate a sustainable waste strategy once the building has opened. 

Where do the materials being used to build the Forum come from?

In line with Sir Robert McAlpine’s sustainability policy, a large proportion of materials come from the local area. The chart below outlines the distribution of labour on the site  
which is also predominantly sourced from the surrounding area reducing carbon emissions from transportation. 

Will food waste be recycled?

As part of the Forum Project a composter is being brought onto site to provide organic waste processing services for the whole campus. Wood will be collected in containers from around the campus and then fed into a specialist composting unit that uses a thermostatically controlled processes to allow up to 3500 ltrs of organic waste to be converted into compost every week. The compost is placed in maturation bays and then it can be used to keep the luscious grounds at the University looking their best.