University of Leicester Centre for Medicine

Project Overview

It contains 12,836sqm of teaching facilities, offices, laboratories, lecture theatres and support spaces for more than 2,350 staff and students.

The five- and six-storey tower blocks have Passivhaus standards of air-tightness, thermal performance, high thermal mass, low energy use ventilation and maximised natural daylight.

The building’s intelligent systems include a subsoil heat exchange system to pre-warm or pre-cool incoming air, heat recovery mechanisms within the ventilation system and automated blinds to keep rooms cool in summer.

A photovoltaic array generates an estimated 30,000 kWh of electricity per year and connection to a district energy scheme, using low carbon gas-fired combined heat and power (CHP) and biomass boilers, contributes renewable energy. A green wall and roof planting promote biodiversity.