UWE Bristol completes low carbon Purdown View student village

A 900-bedroom student village at UWE Bristol, which is the largest low carbon development of its kind in the UK, is set to be fully occupied for the next academic year in September.

The project - Purdown View - has received Passivhaus certification for meeting the highest possible eco credentials. It will reduce energy by 81% and carbon by 79% per room compared with the housing it replaced.

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"We are extremely proud to have completed the largest Passivhaus-accredited student housing project in the UK," said Professor Sir Steve West, vice-chancellor at UWE Bristol.

"It demonstrates our commitment to address the challenges of climate change, move towards our 2030 carbon targets and our commitment to student wellbeing and experience.

"We’re looking forward to seeing these fantastic new energy efficient residences being fully occupied by our students later in the year, helping address the shortage of student accommodation in the city and fulfilling our commitment to make more high quality, purpose-built accommodation available on campus for our first-year students," he added.

"Purdown View has been partially occupied since January and we have received very positive feedback from students, who have told us they are proud and excited to be part of an innovative development designed to be as energy efficient as possible and tackle climate change issues."

Arranged across three blocks on what was the Carrol Court student accommodation, the 26,000 square metre (sq m) ultra low energy scheme was designed by Stride Treglown, Curtins, Amber and QODA, with construction led by VINCI Building.

Residents will also have green spaces and a new public art sculpture garden on their doorstep, boosting biodiversity on campus and supporting student mental health and wellbeing.

The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) has around 38,000 students and strong industry networks and connections with over 1,000 employers.

Last year, UWE Bristol won Sustainability Institution of the Year at the UK & Ireland Green Gown Awards.