EDINBURGH Napier University (ENU) has hailed a visit for its students to the Built Environment – Smarter Transformation’s (BE-ST) National Retrofit Centre as a ‘fantastic learning opportunity’ for the scholars.
The facility, at the Hamilton Technology Park Innovation Campus, is currently undergoing a deep retrofit thanks to £1.2 million in grant funding from Scotland’s Public Sector Heat Decarbonisation Fund.
Designed by John Gilbert Architects and BE-ST, the retrofit is serving as a living demonstration of best practice for the industry. Additions to the building include a new zero direct emissions heating solution to replace its current gas heating, a cutting-edge curtain wall system, a solar PV integrated roof, and energy-efficient LED lighting controls.
As part of the project, final year students from ENU’s architectural technology course were given a tour of the site earlier this week, with the visit including demonstrations, group discussion, and a chance to speak to the contractors involved.
Dr Suha Jaradat, associate professor of architectural technology at ENU’s school of computing, engineering, and the built environment, said, “This visit is a fantastic learning opportunity to see complexities of retrofitting a large-scale building like the National Retrofit Centre in person.
“The plans for the retrofit include lots of innovative products with a focus on sustainability including home grown Scottish timber manufactured on site and natural insulation products to name a few.
“Students also had an invaluable opportunity to ask questions about life after graduation as an architectural technologist, as well as the opportunities available through engagement with sustainable design and retrofit projects.
“This has really demonstrated some of the benefits of working in partnership with colleagues at BE-ST on such an innovative project.”
Gavin Johnston, impact manager at BE-ST and lead of the retrofit, added, “For us, an important aspect of the project was to develop a wider programme of activity to maximise the impact of this investment to accelerate the decarbonisation of the built environment.
“Through events like this we are developing the future generation of professionals, offering them a first-hand experience of a complex and innovative retrofit project.
“It is exciting to be able to share details of the project with these students and to engage with them during the construction phase as well as when the building is up and running, so that they can hopefully gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the design intent.”
