FIFE College’s new campus in Dunfermline is using a unique steel/timber construction making it on course to meet Scottish Government carbon targets.
The learning institute revealed that the scale of the new campus, which is being built by Balfour Beatty, means that the green approach has saved 25% of the embodied carbon normally expected in a structure of this size.
A cross-laminated timber is being utilised on the campus, which is due to open in 2025, as well as 95% recycled steel beams to achieve this saving. The measures were designed with structural engineers, Woolgar Hunter.
Malcolm Buchanan, director at Woolgar Hunter, said, “By implementing these sustainability measures, such as the CLT/steel hybrid construction design, we are very confident that this building, which is an ambitious building and an ambitious architectural design, can hit Scottish government carbon targets.”
Fife College principal, Jim Metcalfe, added, “Throughout the construction of the new campus, we have had a full commitment to the very latest low-energy and net-zero processes. The innovative construction design has been a huge part of this and it is exciting to see it, and the many other carbon-reducing processes come to life during the build phase.
“We believe that this approach will not only ensure we meet Scottish Government carbon targets but also make the campus, and in turn the wider Fife region, a beacon of best practice in low carbon and circular construction.”
