Animal Studies Centre

The Animal Studies Centre at Dudley College of Technology is a ground-breaking example of sustainable retrofit, transforming a redundant 1950s building into a high-performance, low-carbon educational facility. By prioritising deep retrofit over demolition, the project showcases a pioneering approach to carbon reduction that challenges conventional construction methods while delivering exceptional energy performance and cost efficiency – equivalent to that of new build projects.

The scheme also pioneered the use of the IPI Lite procurement model, which enabled the highest levels of collaboration and carbon-conscious decision-making.

The retrofit and extension of Block E now provides bespoke teaching spaces for the Animal Care department as part of the College’s ongoing campus regeneration scheme. Measures include new windows, roof and insulated cladding.

The works were part of a wider decarbonisation scheme for the whole college which, following successful Salix grants, included the installation of air source heat pumps into the animal faculty building (another Speller Metcalfe project), as well as incorporating this energy efficient initiative into additional buildings across the campus. The build is also based on Passivhaus EnerPHit principles, which promotes the highest levels of insulation and airtightness, with current testing standing at 0.91³/m².hr.

The project went onto to win at the West Midlands Constructing Excellence Awards

• Winner of Winners
• Retrofit
• Integration & Collaborative Working
• Client of the Year