Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
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Leeds Beckett’s Caedmon Hall achieves Gold rating for sustainable refurbishment
Caedmon Hall, Headingley Campus
Developed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), SKA is a leading environmental assessment method and benchmark for the fit-out of buildings. A Gold rating recognises projects that meet the most rigorous sustainability criteria and demonstrates LBU's continued commitment to environmental responsibility.
Originally built as student accommodation in the early 20th century, Caedmon Hall has recently been transformed into a space for teaching, research, and collaboration. Home to courses such as Primary Education and Childhood Studies, the refurbished Caedmon Hall features specialist teaching spaces designed to support innovative learning and research. These include a Montessori nursery and early years room, a fully equipped science laboratory, and even a virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) lab.
Completed in October 2024, the refurbishment aimed specifically for a SKA Gold rating with sustainability prioritised throughout the project plans. The SKA assessment considers a wide range of factors, such as materials, pollution, energy use, CO2 emissions, transport, and waste management. As part of the refurbishment, all mechanical and electrical systems were replaced with energy-efficient solutions, including air source heat pumps.
This achievement aligns with LBU's Sustainability Strategy, which focuses on embedding sustainable practices across the university and increasing the university's positive impacts on the environment, economy and society.
Andy Allison, Director of Estates and Facilities at LBU, said: "The SKA Gold rating recognises our commitment to embedding sustainability into all university activities and we are proud to have achieved it. Prioritising sustainable practices in our buildings is essential to achieving our environmental goals. Caedmon Hall's refurbishment exemplifies how sustainable design can be applied to heritage buildings and go hand in hand with educational excellence, setting a benchmark for future projects across the university."
