News - Green Plaudit for Knowledge Spa Extension
The recent extension to the Knowledge Spa at Treliske in Truro, which is home to the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry's new European Centre for the Environment and Human Health (ECEHH) and the Peninsula Dental School, has been awarded an 'excellent' rating by the 2008 pilot version of BREEAM Healthcare (BRE Environmental Assessment Method).
BREEAM is the environmental assessment method used to evaluate the green credentials of buildings all over the world. It measures the environmental impact of buildings during the construction process and occupation and rewards those designs that take measures to minimise a building's impact on the environment.
In order to achieve an excellent rating, buildings must score 70 per cent or more overall - the Knowledge Spa extension scored 72 per cent.
It scored particularly well in four areas: 88 per cent for the management of the construction and subsequent occupation; 77 per cent for energy usage and green transport issues; 80 per cent for the use of previously developed land and the enhancement of ecology; and 90 per cent for the use and conservation of water resources.
Professor Anthony Pinching, Associate Dean for Cornwall at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, commented: "This is indeed excellent, and an important achievement all-round. With the new European Centre for Environment and Human Health being located in this building, this 'excellent' rating confirms that we don't just talk green, we do green."
Professor Steve Thornton, Dean at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, added: "The extension of the Knowledge Spa and our activities within it support our commitment to contributing to the health and wealth of the region. By achieving an excellent BREEAM rating, the building reflects the importance we attach to the environmentally sustainable nature of all our buildings across the South West. This is a great achievement on the part of a successful team."
Professor Elizabeth Kay, Dean at the Peninsula Dental School, said: "The BREEAM rating reflects the importance we place on reducing our impact on the environment with each treatment that takes place at our Dental Education Facility within the Knowledge Spa extension. We also instil within our students the need for them to operate as environmentally aware dental practitioners, not just now during their studies but also when they graduate as qualified dentists."
Professor Michael Depledge, Interim Director for ECEHH said: "Environmentally friendly buildings are key to tackling climate change and fostering lifestyles that minimise damage to nature. They also promote improved health and wellbeing. We are very proud that PCMD and our new European Centre for Environment and Human Health have met these challenges with the Knowledge Spa extension."
Professor Mary Watkins, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Plymouth said: "This rating is a testament to the consideration and planning that has gone into this tremendous new extension and my congratulations go to all who worked on it. With our track record in sustainability, and our position as the number one ranked university in the People and Planet Green League, we value highly such green accolades."
Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "The ambition of the ERDF and ESF Convergence Programmes and its partners is to support private sector growth and provide quality job creation in an economy which is fit for the 21st century. The investment in our Peninsula Medical and Dental School ticks many boxes. Higher level skills, expansion of medical and dental provision, new research opportunities, creation of business through growth of local supply chains - and now recognition of sustainability coupled with superior design in a building which shouts 'we are facing a new age and we embrace it'. I congratulate all on the well earned BREEAM excellent rating."