{"id":161098,"date":"2026-04-16T10:08:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T09:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=161098"},"modified":"2026-07-14T15:00:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T14:00:06","slug":"graham-deliver-low-carbon-student-accommodation-university-of-bath","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/projects\/graham-deliver-low-carbon-student-accommodation-university-of-bath\/161098\/","title":{"rendered":"GRAHAM to deliver low-carbon student accommodation at University of Bath"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leading contractor GRAHAM has been appointed by the University of Bath to advance plans for a major new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme, with sustainability and low-carbon heat at the core of the development<\/h2>\n

The scheme will deliver 960 student bedrooms at the university\u2019s Claverton Down campus, alongside communal and wellbeing-focused amenities including shared kitchens, study areas, and flexible social spaces.<\/p>\n

Procured via the Southern Construction Framework<\/span><\/span>, the project will see GRAHAM enter a two-stage Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA), supporting design development ahead of main works.<\/p>\n

Low-carbon design and Passivhaus ambition<\/h3>\n

A key focus of the project is operational energy performance, with the buildings targeting Passivhaus-level standards<\/a>. The design will adopt a fabric-first approach, prioritising high-performance insulation and airtightness to minimise heat loss.<\/p>\n

At its core are five key principles:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Super-insulated envelope<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Airtight construction<\/li>\n
  3. Thermal bridge-free detailing<\/li>\n
  4. High-performance glazing<\/li>\n
  5. Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    By combining these measures, Passivhaus buildings can achieve space heating demands of around 15 kWh\/m\u00b2 per year\u2014up to 70\u201390% lower than conventional buildings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Heat pumps<\/h3>\n

    This will be complemented by the integration of air source heat pumps<\/a>, which will provide low-carbon heating<\/a> and hot water by extracting ambient heat from the outside air.<\/p>\n

    Operating at lower flow temperatures than traditional gas systems, heat pumps are particularly well-suited to fabric-first buildings, where consistent internal temperatures can be maintained with less energy input.<\/p>\n

    Together, these measures support the University\u2019s wider net zero ambitions and are expected to deliver:<\/span><\/p>\n