Work has begun on the first-ever Passivhaus student accomodation in Belfast, delivered by GRAHAM
GRAHAM has begun construction work on Belfast’s first Passivhaus student accomodation.
The building will deliver 456 student bedrooms, cost £46m, and is being delivered for Queen’s University, Belfast, on Dublin road.
Belfast’s first Passivhaus-certified student accomodation
In accordance with Passivhaus standards, the building will minimise energy usage for heating and cooling, waste, carbon emissions, and maximise health and comfort of occupants.
The building will be built from a 16-storey high concrete frame, with brick and glazed facades, as well as mechanical ventilation heat recovery units and high-efficiency air source heat pumps to maintain heat sustainably.
The construction will feature not only student bedrooms, but also cluster apartments, studio units, meeting rooms, communal social spaces, group dining areas, a post room, laundry, and dedicated staff areas and welfare facilities.
Environmentally friendly accomodation in the heart of the city centre
The global demand for more sustainable construction, whether new builds or retrofitting existing builds, means standards are raising. Passivhaus is one of the most exacting standards.
The Dublin Road Passivhaus student accomodation will be the first ultra-low emission multi-occupancy building in Belfast.
Gary Holmes, managing director of GRAHAM’s Building North region, said: “Queen’s University has demonstrated a strong commitment to providing a high-quality, energy-efficient development, and as a business which prioritises sustainable practices, we are pleased to have been appointed as the main contractor.”
Caroline Young, vice-president of students and corporate services at Queen’s University Belfast, said: “We have seen a huge demand for student accommodation in recent years. This site will help us in part to meet the demand for quality student accommodation while working towards our Strategy 2030, which has sustainability at its core.
“The site at Dublin road will house up to 459 students, offering the first ultra-low emission multi-occupancy building in the city centre. We are delighted to be at the forefront of such a significant milestone for sustainable development in Belfast and beyond, which resonates with the Belfast City Council’s aim to future proof the city for generations to come.
“We are committed to achieving our ambitious net zero target for 2040 whilst providing the best student experience, not least by continuing to offer high quality accommodation at one of the best values across the UK.”
