Successful 1st PassivHaus air tightness test at the STEM Building

GB Building Solutions are currently under way with STEM Bradford at The University of Bradford which commenced in September.

The project is progressing quickly onsite leading to the buildings first of three air tests. To meet the PassivHaus requirements the building must not leak more air than 0.6 times the house volume per hour (n₅₀ ≤ 0.6 / hour) at 50 Pa (N/m²). Onsite testing showed that the building exceeded the requirements and takes the project a step closer to full accreditation.

The demanding project is on track to deliver the University of Bradford’s first BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and PassivHaus accredited educational building in early April.

Planning submitted for the Calverley Building Refurbishment at Leeds Metropolitan University

In mid-December Watson Batty submitted a planning application to refurbish the Calverley Building at the Leeds Metropolitan University city centre campus. The project is split into 3 phases with a total estimated value of £8 - 12 million. Phase 1 involves the provision of new toilet accommodation within the building and the creation of hub rooms and service risers within the adjacent Portland building. 

Phase 2, for which the planning application has been submitted, involves the repair and cleaning of the concrete structural frame, replacement of all windows from levels 02 to 10 and the rendering of the lower part of the building referred to as the ‘Plinth’. 

Phase 3 of the proposals will include a phased internal refurbishment of the building. We hope to be out to tender early February with initial works commencing in June this year.