University of Exeter, Centre for Resilience Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW) Development Project

Addressing environmental challenges through innovation and sustainability

The Centre for Resilience Environment, Water and Waste (CREWW) development project is a unique initiative that addresses critical environmental challenges in the water sector. This collaborative endeavour between the University of Exeter and South West Water (SWW) received substantial funding, including support from the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF), totalling £8.5 million. CREWW’s primary mission is to lead the way in water resilience, combatting climate change, floods, droughts, pollutants, and population growth through research and innovation.

Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Exeter, emphasised the importance of this unique facility, stating, “The unique facility supports our 10-year Strategy 2030 to use our world-leading research to provide solutions and lead meaningful actions against the climate emergency and ecological crisis.”

We played a pivotal role as Lead Consultant, our multidisciplinary design team comprised, project and cost management, mechanical, electrical, civil, and structural engineering. Collaborating with architectural partner Saunders Boston and a range of specialist consultants, we ensured the project’s success by delivering a sustainable, and high-performing design solution, within budget.

Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality at the Heart of CREWW

CREWW’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality is evident throughout the project. Experimentation processes and equipment were innovated to minimise energy demand setting a new benchmark for environmentally responsible infrastructure within the University, achieving net zero carbon in operation for regulated loads.

Prioritising wellbeing

CREWW’s design places a strong emphasis on well-being, offering an open-plan collaboration space flooded with natural light and surrounded by nature. This “green” working environment not only promotes creativity and cooperation but also fosters vitality among its users.

Challenging site solutions

Navigating the steep terrain of the project site presented a unique challenge Our team worked with the contractors to sequence the works to meet those elements carefully.

Reducing embodied and operational carbon

CREWW’s carbon reduction strategies encompass both embodied and operational carbon. Lean design principles and sustainable concrete mixes minimise embodied carbon. Furthermore, operational carbon was reduced through a Passivhaus approach to building design, energy-efficient laboratory equipment operation, and integration of renewable energy sources, culminating in CREWW’s net-zero status for regulated emissions.

By collaborating closely with the contractor, we enabled the preservation of the low-energy design principles, resulting in a facility that outperforms it’s as-designed target emission rate, achieving 37% betterment on target emissions.

A Living Lab for Continuous Improvement

CREWW’s dedication to sustainability extends far beyond its construction phase and will operate as a “Living Lab”. Real-time data collection and comprehensive metering allow researchers to optimise energy usage, providing invaluable research data and enabling them to operate as a beacon of environmental leadership and a resilient future.

Key facts:

• Net zero carbon building for regulated emissions.
• The as-built facility achieves a 37% betterment against target emission rate.
• We achieved low air leakage rates through the building fabric, 50% better than the industry standard (3.7 m3/m2.h).
• Heat loss was reduced to a practical minimum which was 40% less than the standard.

Client:

University of Exeter

Services:

• Lead consultant
• Project management
• Cost management
• Mechanical and electrical engineering
• Civil and structural engineering
• Sustainability engineering, including Part L and TM54
• Acoustic engineering
• BREEAM