The Orchard wins green 'Oscar'

• Scheme wins “very good” BREEAM rating
• Biomass boilers installed
• College software monitors performance
• Graphic displays educate local schools on eco issues

The Orchard, an eco development built within a scenic 18ha woodland site in Belfast, has won the RICS Sustainability Award 2008.

Situated within Stranmillis University College, the scheme is built on previously demolished prefabricated buildings in order to minimise the impact on the existing mature trees surrounding the site.

Numerous sustainable building technologies have been incorporated in the design, including the installation of biomass boilers, resulting in the project achieving a BREEAM rating of “very good”.

To ensure the building remains as sustainable as possible the building performance will be monitored via the college’s existing software.

In addition, graphic displays have been provided for each of the sustainable technologies as a method to educate Stranmillis Primary School and other local schools who can now experience at first hand how sustainable technologies work.

Simon Pott, chairman of judges, said: “The work by Stranmillis University College to adopt sustainable principles is truly reflected in The Orchard.

“This is good news for the short-term environmental impact.

“The University’s relationship with the local schools is ensuring that the next generation of children consider the implications of buildings and the environment.

“In addition to the overall category winner, the judges also commended Northumbria University Campus East and The Innovate Green Office in Yorkshire for achievements in sustainability.”

The sustainability ‘Oscars’ were give at a gala event held at The Millennium Mayfair in London on 17 October.