Campus Estate Management Autumn 2023

Autumn 2023

Solving campus connectivity How to successfully boost all four major mobile network operators at your campus

8 Industry News The latest news and views on campus

22 Offsite evolution Achieving new standard in SEND schools

26 Built for excellence Fitted furniture and its links to success

38 The heat is on Spirotech specified for groundbreaking project

CAMPUS | Autumn 2023 | 1

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Contents 4 Solving campus connectivity How to successfully boost all four major mobile network operators at your campus

38

30 Connecting old and new Redevelopment programme at St John’s College, Oxford

8 Product & Industry News The latest news and views on campus

34 Which AI marketing tools are suitable?

Major technology trends universities should consider investing in

22 Offsite evolution Achieving new standards of excellence with SEND schools

38 The heat is on Spirotech specified for groundbreaking project

26 Built for excellence Fitted furniture and its links to academic success

42 Clean & sustainable Dispensers help Uni achieve its sustainability aims CAMPUS | Autumn 2023 | 3

COVER STORY

Solving campus connectivity How to successfully boost all four major mobile network operators at your campus by Gary Exall, Managing Director, Simpi-Fi The problem with mobile coverage within campus buildings The expectation for schools, colleges and universities to provide faultless connectivity in the form of super fast, reliable, accessible and safe WiFi, along with glitch-free mobile signals across campus have never been greater. Students, staff and visitors alike expect these services to be a given, putting pressure on IT professionals within the sector to 4 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

make sure that the solutions they procure are fit for purpose.

In addition, as we move towards greener, smarter commercial buildings in and around our campuses, the building materials used in new construction processes are interfering with RF (radio frequency) blocking mobile signals, and the extent of the problem is often not identified until the building is completed and launched. This is a

common problem across university campuses and an even greater hindrance to commercial buildings within campuses, such as offices, hotels and research facilities.

The impact of poor mobile signal coverage within a university campus is extensive Mobile phones and WiFi are crucial within a university campus. They enable constant communication

amongst students, faculty, and staff and are essential for research facilities and for attracting commercial business and investment.

A strong, reliable and stable multioperator mobile signal is essential for many reasons, including safety, access to campus navigation and information, research and learning, campus services, such as food delivery apps and campus shuttle services, not to mention recruitment and reputation.

New buildings, including a 185bedroom conference hotel at The University of Birmingham campus, were experiencing poor mobile coverage The Edgbaston Park Hotel, part of The University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston campus, opened in 2018.

It features a contemporary building housing 185 bedrooms, 3 serviced apartments, a restaurant, a bar, and various conference facilities.

The hotel has always suffered from a poor mobile signal and the team has been unable to find a solution. When the team approached Simpli-Fi, they were not confident that there was a technology that would solve the issue. Our team at Simpli-Fi, however, were certain that a solution using the Nextivity CEL-FI system would give them the results they were looking for, and when we recommended a proof of concept to demonstrate the results, this was met with renewed enthusiasm.

“We were confident that by installing the Nextivity CEL-FI solution as a PoC, we would be able to demonstrate a considerable improvement in the mobile signal throughout the building, where other solutions had failed. “ Graham Williams, Head of Mobile Solutions, Simpli-Fi.

providing 3G/4G/5G voice and data for all four major mobile networks: Vodafone, EE, O2 and Three. A combination of LPDA and panel antennas were installed on the hotel roof roughly 3m above the roof height, pointing to the cell towers that provided the best signal for each network.

The PoC was divided into multiple phases, starting with extensive site surveys and reviewing the building plans and layout. Collecting external mobile measurements for analysis to determine the strength of the existing signal in the area plays a massive part in the antenna design.

As part of the survey and reporting stage, we provided a complete design with cabling schematics, predicted coverage and hardware locations.

Once the design and project deliverables were signed off, the next stage was to procure the equipment and installation of the system. Once the building was completed, we

commissioned and tested the system to ensure it met the requirements and specifications outlined in the project plan. Finally, a postinstallation and quality report was provided, detailing the process and the quality of the work completed.

Simpli-Fi successfully boosts all four major network operators with a Nextivity CEL-FI solution Following the success of the PoC within the Edgbaston Park Hotel, Professor Gino Martini, Chief Executive of the university's most recent research facility, PHTA, approached Simpli-Fi to ensure that the new building would have reliable and stable mobile coverage from launch.

The Precision Health Technologies Accelerator (PHTA) is a business innovation facility that will soon occupy the top three floors of No.1 BHIC – the flagship building of the ambitious Birmingham

Working with the in-house IT teams, Simpli-Fi installed a PoC to demonstrate how well the system works We agreed with the Head of Core Infrastructure for the University and the hotel SLT team that we would deploy our In-Building Mobile Solution to the ground floor events space, restaurant, bar and work area as an initial PoC. Simpli-Fi worked with Nextivty to provide a multi-carrier solution CAMPUS | Autumn 2023 | 5

Health Innovation Campus, which is being delivered in partnership with Bruntwood SciTech. Providing approximately 70,000 square feet of state-of-the-art incubation and collaboration space, PHTA is a catalyst for health and life science businesses to succeed.

Professor Gino Martini, Chief Executive of PHTA, stated, “PHTA is designed to accommodate researchers at the proof-of-concept stage through to spin-out companies

Gary Exall, MD, Simpli-Fi

6 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

and beyond – providing small health innovation businesses with much-needed grow-on space.

Excellent connectivity including multi-operator mobile coverage, is therefore essential and expected by our clients. Following the success of the proof of concept Mobile Signal Boosting Solution for the campus hotel, we approached Simpli-Fi to consult, design and deliver a system to ensure we have excellent, futureproof connectivity throughout the PHTA facility.”

So, with more suppliers entering the market, claiming they can solve your problem of poor mobile coverage, how do you ensure you are investing in a solution that will really make a difference to your communities?

A consultative approach with suppliers that can demonstrate the benefit of recommended solutions is key.

If you ask any business owner what their top priorities are, client retention is usually top of the list, and so it should be. However, supplier and partner relationships should also be nurtured. In fact, your supplier management is so crucial that adopting a more strategic approach

with key suppliers and partners can have immense long-term benefits for organisations.

Simpli-Fi is a technology-agnostic business, and have been working with trusted vendors for decades.

These valued partnerships allow us to exchange views and support innovation, ensuring we stay ahead of the game with new technology coming to market. This means our clients always receive the right solution at the best price.

Our relationships with suppliers like Nextivity enable us to supply our clients with complete solutions from the ground up, providing us with all the technical knowledge we need to recommend, design and implement our solutions.

The University of Birmingham has seen stage one of the project provide game-changing results for the team and its communities.

If you would like to learn how Simpli-Fi can help your campus improve your connectivity, from wireless systems to mobile signal solutions, then please visit www.simpli-fi.co.uk/contact/

kieurope.com info@kieurope.com 020 7404 7441 Made in the UK

PRODUCT & INDUSTRY NEWS

Schools share £18.6m decarbonisation makeover in Fusion21-backed pilot Seven UK schools have been selected to take part in an £18.6 million innovative Decarbonisation Pilot, led by the Department for Education (DfE).

The pilot will see schools benefit from new low carbon heating solutions, as well as improvements to the buildings fabric to make the school more thermal efficient, all procured through Fusion21 frameworks.

Energy bills and carbon emissions in the public and higher education sectors shows that schools and universities represent 36% of total UK public sector building emissions.

The transformational work to reduce carbon emissions to make those schools selected as part of the pilot, significantly more energy efficient has recently got underway.

Where necessary, the schools’ building fabric will be improved with upgrades ranging from new electrics, roofs and ceilings to new doors and windows amid a government drive to make educational buildings greener.

The contractors were appointed via Fusion21’s Decarbonisation and Heating & Renewables frameworks which ensures housing, local authority, education, blue light and health sectors maximise social value in contracts. All Fusion21 contractors are committed to ensuring social value is embedded into their work ranging from employing locally where possible to apprenticeships and community projects.

8 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

Today, Oliver Mooney, Head of Category at Fusion21 said: “It is fantastic to have been involved in such an important Department for Education project and to support the schools who used our framework to appoint the contractors for these transformational, multi-million pound improvement works which will vastly improve the buildings, bring huge energy savings and carbon emission reductions and ensure pupils, teachers and parents are playing an important role in decarbonisation and Net Zero ambitions”.

The UK government is committed to climate action and has set out targets in its strategy to 2050.

This project will support the drive for existing school buildings to be adapted and new ones designed adequately to respond to climate change and reduce emissions.

The pilot will provide a valuable opportunity to learn more about alternative greener heating solutions and to use the learnings to consider how this can be scaled up to accelerate decarbonisation in the future.

Research found that in 2019 schools alone were spending around £630m per annum on energy – with today’s figure expected to be much higher.

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will provide £1.425 billion of grant funding for public sector bodies to fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures, including schools over the financial years 2022-2023 to 2024-2025.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville enhances student safety and wellbeing support with roll-out of multi-function SafeZone platform

Cutting-edge technology ensures faster emergency response, more effective communications, and higher user engagement.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville is prioritizing safety and wellbeing for its 9,000-plus students and campus staff with the roll-out of SafeZone technology from CriticalArc. SafeZone is a unified platform for safety, security, emergency management, and wellbeing support, and a leading solution for the higher education and healthcare sectors. It offers significant advantages over traditional solutions with higher user engagement. Through real time coordination and response, SafeZone empowers organizations to act faster and more effectively to deal with incidents of any scale. SafeZone’s operational insights streamline day-to-day operations and provide post-incident learnings, allowing continuous improvement of team performance and optimization of future response.

As part of its vision to become a smart campus, Texas A&M University-Kingsville has made it a priority to invest in advanced safety technologies and protocols.

The student experience and the safety of students and staff is being optimized through digital transformation.

SafeZone will make it easy for students to request immediate assistance with a single tap on their smartphones, whether it be to ask for emergency help, report a concern, or access support services.

When a user activates a duress button on the SafeZone app, their identity and location are instantly shared with campus police. First responders are notified in real-time, enabling a coordinated response. The system also initiates two-way communications with the user and first responders, enabling the fastest and most appropriate intervention.

SafeZone’s intuitive interface and user-friendly features make it an accessible tool for every member of the university community. Whether they are facing medical emergencies, potential threats, or any other hazardous situations, users have peace of mind knowing that help is just a fingertip away.

Texas A&M University-Kingsville conducts regular drills, training sessions, and security audits to assess and refine emergency response protocols. SafeZone will now be a key enabler for the police department, improving response efficiency, reassuring students, and ensuring the best outcomes in emergency situations.

The university is encouraging all students, faculty, and staff to download and use the SafeZone application, which is available free on iTunes or Google Play stores.

Julian Cavazos adds that by using SafeZone, every member of the Texas A&M University-Kingsville community can become an active participant in fostering a secure, supportive, and welcoming campus: “By embracing this technology and working together, we can create an environment where students can focus on their academic pursuits, personal development and wellbeing without concerns about safety.”

Darren Chalmers-Stevens, CriticalArc’s Chief Operating Officer, said that the whole Texas A&M University-Kingsville community would benefit from the enhanced safety that SafeZone provides.

“Universities, healthcare providers and major organizations across the U.S. are adopting SafeZone technology, ensuring that they can take better care of their people, respond rapidly to any situation, and deal with any incidents more effectively.”

For more information on CriticalArc and SafeZone, go to www.criticalarc.com CAMPUS | Autumn 2023 | 9

École Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie (ENSP) becomes the world’s largest campus dedicated to the pastry arts The École Nationale Supérieure de Pâtisserie (ENSP), a world-renowned institution in the arts of pastry and ice cream, located in Yssingeaux in the Haute-Loire department of France, has announced the opening of its new campus extension.

Following work which began in June 2022, the ENSP now benefits from an additional 2,300 m2 space, including new laboratories and student accommodation, in addition to that in the historic Château that houses the prestigious school. These premises enable the ENSP to offer its students a unique 7,000m2 learning space.

Founded in 1984 and acquired in 2007 by Alain Ducasse and Yves Thuriès, the ENSP has established itself as the benchmark school of excellence in the world of the sweet arts for training in pastry-making, chocolate-making, confectionery, ice cream-making and baking.

With its 17 pastry chef trainers and 25 academic professors, the school trains over 1,500 students from more than 60 different nationalities throughout the year.

A broad portfolio of programs caters for all training needs in the field: from post-baccalaureate courses such as the three-year Diplôme Supérieur des Arts Pâtissiers, to retraining programs including the eight-month CAP Pâtissier, the two-month French pastry Arts Essentials program, and the one-year French pastry Arts Diploma.

In addition to these programs, 68 professional training courses lasting between two and three days are held on site, taught by Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (best craftsmen), world champions and well-known experts. The great names in French and international patisserie have been trained here and return to perfect their techniques. It was this growing demand for pastry training that prompted the expansion project.

10 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

With three new classrooms and four new laboratories, as well as the creation of 36 apartments for students, this extension to the ENSP will enable École Ducasse to welcome a greater number of French and international students, and to meet the increasing demand for training in the pastry, bakery, chocolate, confectionery and ice cream trades.

Elise Masurel, Managing Director of École Ducasse, said: “We are very proud of the outcome of this project, which enables us to instil the excellence of our schools even more firmly in France, in parallel to our international development.”

Luc Debove, Director and Executive Chef of the ENSP, World Ice Cream Champion and Meilleur Ouvrier de France Glacier, winner of the Ordre National du Mérite Agricole, and leader of the current project, commented: “This extension is the culmination of a great collective project supported by Laurent Wauquiez, President of the Region Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Isabelle Valentin, MP for first constituency of Haute-Loire and Pierre Liogier, our Mayor of Yssingeaux. It is not just the ENSP that is becoming the world’s largest school dedicated to the sweet arts, but Yssingeaux and the whole region that are becoming a strategic hub for patisserie worldwide.” École Ducasse is a network of schools dedicated to the transmission of outstanding French expertise and excellence in culinary and pastry arts, with three schools in France – Paris Studio, Paris Campus and the ENSP – as well as Manila Campus in the Philippines, Gurugram Campus in India and Nai Lert Bangkok Studio in Thailand. All are united by a desire to share a passion for gastronomy with seasoned professionals as well as food enthusiasts, career changers and students.

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New KitLock by Codelocks delivers simple, short-term access control for public storage

Codelocks has introduced public functionality to its KL10 KitLock by Codelocks. The mechanical lock now provides multiple users with keyless access to shared storage at public facilities like gyms, leisure centres, spas, retail stores, offices and shared workspaces.

The KL10, a durable and compact mechanical lock, is designed for easy use and is accessible via a four-digit code. Originally released with Private Function, the new KL10 Public Function now allows multiple occupancy facilities to offer simple short-term storage to multiple users. To operate the lock, the user simply enters a personal four-digit code to lock it. The same code is entered once again to unlock it and then the lock remains open ready for the next user to set a fresh code.

The lock has a black powder coated finish for a simple and stylish look and an easy grip outer on the handle for effortless opening. In the case of a forgotten code, the code can be retrieved using a code finding key. This simple mechanical lock allows for up to 10,000 unique combinations.

Steve Newman, European Sales Manager at Codelocks said: “Built with simplicity in mind, the KL10 KitLock by Codelocks provides convenient mechanical access to lockers and cabinets. The existing KL10 12 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

Private Function has proven hugely popular with our customers, and we’re excited to expand the range by offering public functionality for multi-occupancy applications. As setting up new codes is largely self-sufficient, the KL10 Public Function is not only straightforward for users to operate but incredibly easy for facilities managers to oversee.

“This is ideal for public facilities that experience a number of visitors or members a day and want to offer a short-term storage solution. Take, for example, a gym facility that provides lockers for people to store their belongings while they enjoy a workout or a supermarket that requires shoppers to store their large bags outside before entering the store.”

Codelocks’ KL10 Public Function mechanical locks are straightforward to install or retrofit and codes can be reset while the lock is still on the door. The retail product comes with all the required fixings: a straight cam, cranked cam, hex nut, metal clip, washer and three screws.

For more information please visit www.codelocks.co.uk/ kl10-kitlock-mechanical-combination-lock

Bournemouth University upgrades library access with TORMAX As part of Bournemouth University’s ongoing commitment to improving the student and staff experience, TORMAX UK was recently contracted by Rocare Building Services Ltd to install a new automatic main entrance to the Sir Michael Cobham Library.

Consisting of two sets of double-leaf automatic sliding doors, the outer doors open to welcome visitors into a lobby area before the inner doors slide apart to allow access into the library’s main reception.

This configuration allows a smooth through-flow of pedestrians whilst also reducing heat loss from the building and contributing to a lower carbon footprint.

The Sir Michal Cobham Library is situated at the heart of the Talbot Campus and is home to Bournemouth University’s largest collection of printed resources, as well as over 300 PC’s, iMacs and laptops for loan.

With a full remodelling programme being implemented across the Campus, the Library now benefits from the installation of a second lift, new flooring in many areas, as well as the TORMAX automatic entrance.

Ensuring quick response times to approaching foot traffic, as well as adaptable opening and closing speeds

and hold-open time, the doors are powered by the Swiss-designed, TORMAX iMotion 2202 operators.

Featuring a state-of-the-art microprocessor control unit, a user-friendly interface allows staff to adjust door movement to reflect foot traffic levels and external weather conditions. Reliability is assured thanks to a uniquely designed AC motor that doesn’t have any of the usual gears and brushes that tend to wear out, delivering a longer than average life-span.

The smooth movement that the door drives generate is further enhanced thanks to vibration-absorbent mountings on the guide rails, ensuring whisper-quiet operation.

“TORMAX entrances can be found delivering reliable access to learning at universities across the UK,” comments MD for TORMAX UK, Simon Roberts. “With our reputation for reliability and low-maintenance solutions, our doors have been installed at universities in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Nottingham, London and Oxford University, to name but a few.”

For further information visit www.tormax.co.uk CAMPUS | Autumn 2023 | 13

Ongoing maintenance is key for working buildings Simon Plummer, Divisional Manager for Axial Fans at Nuaire, says ongoing maintenance is key for working buildings to remain safe and compliant when it comes to smoke management and fire safety In fire situations, most fatalities suffered are due to smoke, not the actual fire. Smoke fans, or high temperature axial fans, have been supplied to the marketplace for over 40 years. They are the main airflow driver with a smoke control system and respond to alarms.

As smoke control fans and their associated motors are a life safety product, maintenance rules differ from those applied to normal fans. Anything that operates on the alarm system must be tested periodically and maintained accordingly. Fan maintenance and servicing are often overlooked or put off as it isn’t as straightforward as simply testing the smoke alarm works each week. These fans are often hidden away – in ceiling voids, up on roofs, or stuck up inside a riser – so are easily missed, or simply too inaccessible for a maintenance engineer to reach.

Smoke control fans often only run during testing or if called upon to perform a primary smoke control function. This means, that as a critical component within the building, steps must be taken to ensure that they operate effectively during an emergency as well as day to day, known as the “smoke control duty”.

When it comes to the maintenance of smoke fans, you can’t be too thorough. I would always recommend: Get set up in the right way – all building designs will have fan requirements stated within the fire strategy, 14 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

make sure these match up. Determine that the fan being used is certified to EN 12101-3. It must also have a CE or UKCA label attached. Then check you have the appropriate installation, operating, maintenance and service instructions and that a valid maintenance record exists.

Test weekly with the full fire safety system – the Smoke Control Association (SCA) recommendation is that smoke control systems should be tested weekly with each fan being tested at least once per week. They should be run up in accordance with the manufacturer’s operation and maintenance documentation, ideally for between 15 and 30 minutes to minimise the risk of the lubrication grease hardening and to reduce bearing corrosion. Recommended maintenance intervals are dependent on the fan function.

Book bi-annual servicing of all fans by a suitably trained, competent supplier to ensure any underlying faults are dealt with. Look for a member of the SCA who specialises in fan maintenance and servicing.

Keep everything updated and accessible - Fan installation records and associated DoP documents must be dated and signed and held in a safe and accessible location.

If you are unsure of what fans are operating in your building or need help with regular testing, always seek the help of an expert and don’t put it off. As active members of the SCA, Nuaire has the technical knowledge and experience to provide further advice.

For further information visit www.nuaire.co.uk

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Durham University appoints TGA to develop decarbonisation plans

TGA Consulting Engineers (TGA), an expert provider of consulting engineering services, has been appointed

by Durham University to develop heat decarbonisation plans for five sites following a successful bid for Low Carbon Skills Funding (LCSF).

Durham University is one of six public sector bodies in the North East to have been selected to receive funding from the LCSF. Due to its reputation for leading edge expertise in the sector and its performance on a raft of earlier projects for the university, TGA was invited to support the university’s bid for LCSF funding by Tom Bray, Senior Energy Manager in Durham University’s energy and sustainability team.

With approval for its funding bid obtained in early July, the university then briefed TGA to complete its study in time for the next Salix funding round bids, which are being submitted in September.

The buildings within the Durham University campus that form part of TGA’s brief include the theology and history departments, both located on North Bailey, multiple buildings at Hatfield College, Bede Chapel and Southend House where TGA’s remit is to assess the impact of potential future building improvement works on energy use calculations. TGA also has a separate appointment at Bede Chapel to replace the boiler plant.

Commenting on the firm’s appointment, Dr David Warwick, TGA’s technical director and head of the building performance team, explains why it is more challenging to work in historic buildings. He said: “TGA combines the ability to undertake thermal modelling and associated analysis with that of designing and integrating the appropriate technologies into existing buildings. This process is particularly challenging in historic buildings because it is more difficult to improve the performance of the building envelope to the degree required to make certain 16 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

technologies viable as well as trying to do so without damaging the historic building fabric or detracting from its aesthetic qualities.

“This is, however, one of our key strengths as a practice and we can demonstrate a strong track record of delivering such projects.

“On this occasion, we are working with Durham University to identify what needs to be done, which involves the preparation of concept level designs together with heat decarbonisation plans that the university will use to support its bids and further redevelopment or refurbishment works.”

Commenting on TGA’s appointment, Mr Bray, said: “TGA have strong capabilities in respect of energy and building performance and in the context of Durham University, they are very well acquainted with our estate.

“We have 350 buildings here and as a result of TGA’s work we will know what to do in the future and how to tackle other areas of the estate where we need to become more energy efficient. This is very much a conceptual study and will help facilitate decarbonisation of the sites in the future - a key stage in our journey to carbon zero.”

The Salix Funding stream opens and closes periodically – typically every six months in autumn and spring - the work will be completed to support applications in September 2023 and April 2024. There is stiff competition for funding from all public sector bodies across the UK. Other professional firms working on the project include Purcell, a cross-disciplinary practice fielding the world’s largest team of heritage experts working in the built environment and the Newcastle office of project management and cost consultancy practice, Thornton Firkin.

Universities Partnership aims to increase £100m international education boost in Leicestershire Leicestershire’s universities and local leaders are working together to boost the regional economy by attracting more international students to study in the county.

International higher education partners from across the world will gather in Leicester, in October, to hear first-hand from regional leaders about why the county is one of the most attractive destinations for international students in the country.

Across a busy week of events, agents who help connect international students to UK universities will be meet local leaders and be shown first-hand the social, economic and historical strengths of the region.

As one of the UK’s most diverse cities – according to the most recent Census – Leicester offers a homefrom-home for students from across the world. A point that will be emphasised by civic leaders during the programme of activities.

Leicester City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, said: “Leicester is a city with 2,000 years of rich history, but also has one of the youngest populations in the country.

Surveys consistently show that students love their experience of being here.

“Leicester is diverse, has a fantastic leisure and cultural offer and lots of opportunities for students to get engaged with local communities and businesses.

We are also renowned for the warm welcome we give to people from all around the world, and that welcome is certainly extended to international students.”

Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: “Leicestershire has a thriving economy and is at the heart of innovative industries. Home to globally-renowned companies and leading the way in many sectors, including green technology, logistics and advanced manufacturing, the county is a great location for students to study and pursue their careers.”

Leicestershire’s economy receives an annual boost of £100m* from international students at the University of Leicester, Loughborough University and De Montfort University. The positive impact of more than 14,000 overseas students living, studying, spending, and working in the region, also supports 1,200 full-time jobs in the wider region.

The Universities Partnership International programme is a flagship project of the Universities Partnership – a civic agreement signed in July 2022 by the three universities and local authorities, to work together to support the region and grow the economy.

It is the first time the three universities and local

council leaders have worked together on a unified programme to promote the region as a hub for international education. It supports national efforts for the UK to enhance its reputation for international education.

Harry Anderson, Assistant Director (Policy & Global Engagement) at Universities UK International, said: “The benefits that international students bring to the UK are clear. They enrich our local communities and university campuses, strengthen partnerships abroad, and contribute over £37 billion per year to the economy – the benefits of which are felt across the length and breadth of the UK’s regions and nations. We should be proud that our universities continue to attract international students from all over the world, and continue to work together to maintain our position as a leading destination for international students.”

The programme, which runs from Monday 9 to Friday 13 October, will showcase Leicestershire as a prime destination for international students.

A key aspect of the programme will be a special welcome from the King’s representative in Leicestershire, Lord Lieutenant, Mike Kapur.

Mr Kapur said: “Our city and county are characterised by a rich tapestry of cultures coming together to make our region such a welcoming place to live, and we embrace the contributions that international students can add to our city.”

During the week, delegations from around the world will visit each university and speak to local civic leaders to find out more about the benefits for overseas students studying in the county The authorities which complete the Universities Partnership are Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, Rutland County Council, and Charnwood Borough Council.

CAMPUS | Autumn 2023 | 17

Morgan Sindall construction to provide critical classrooms at Castledon school

Morgan Sindall Construction’s Essex business has been appointed by Essex County Council (ECC) to remodel and extend the facilities at specialist educational needs (SEN) school, Castledon School.

As a specialist school catering for ages between 5-19, this project will ensure that Essex can meet the growing local demand for this form of educational support. Morgan Sindall is set to provide an extension to a pre-existing building, and an entirely new facility in order to increase the capacity by 82 students to 196 places.

The new 1,660 sq. ft building will contain eight multi-purpose classrooms as well as a sports hall, food tech classroom, science lab, art studio, physio facilities, a library, and office space for teaching staff. In addition, the school’s beloved library bus will be moved across the site, next to a nearby woodland glade.

Morgan Sindall was appointed to the project as a part of the Essex Construction Framework 2 (ECF2).

The framework is aimed at improving facilities such as Castledon, in the Essex area, including blue light, government and educational bodies.

The new extension will assist Castledon School as it supports students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), moderate learning difficulties and other special educational needs, through the use of brand-new therapy and calming rooms.

Morgan Sindall are also remodelling the pre-existing car park to incorporate 19 new regular spaces and two minibus spaces. This comes after consultation with the school and the local community in order to maximise spaces and to minimise disruption to the surrounding area.

As a part of its Intelligent Solutions approach, Morgan Sindall will be utilising its in-house CarboniCa carbon assessment tool to monitor and control carbon

output as it aims to deliver a net zero in operation development. Also, once complete, 70% of the roofing will have photovoltaic (PV) panels, making the finished development net zero in operation.

Andrew Harper-Rowe, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Essex, said: “As a team, we understand the specialist facilities required and the considerations that should be made when building these educational spaces. It’s becoming more apparent that facilities like Castledon are of great need in the community as we begin to understand the challenges and learning difficulties of young people with ASD. Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “We are very aware of the need for school places for children and young adults with autism, moderate learning difficulties and other special educational needs, and we are committed to meeting the increasing demand in this area.

“This project will significantly increase capacity at Castledon School, helping meet the needs of the local community. This is one exciting example of how we’re investing in school buildings to ensure children have access to the modern and high-quality learning environments which allow them to thrive, while also playing a part in reducing the carbon emissions that can be caused by the school buildings.

Simon Holliday, Headteacher at Castledon, said: "We are pleased with this development and much needed investment. The specialist facilities are desperately needed to help further develop a broad and balanced provision. The remodelling will also alleviate pressure on existing facilities. We are grateful to Essex County Council's education directorate for considering the need at Castledon following conversations which have taken place over the past 3 years."

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Sneak Peak of KI’s New Postura+ One-Piece Stool KI have always believed in the pushing boundaries of educational seating, creating innovative solutions that revolutionise the way we learn and interact. Their one-piece polypropylene Postura+ chair is a popular choice for schools and has been for over two decades due to its durability and strength and because its lightweight, anti-static, stain-resistant, easy to clean, comfortable, and excellent value for money. KI are also progressing towards a circular economy and the recycled content of their one-piece chair currently sits at 30% and they are all 100% recyclable.

Over time the Postura+ family has grown to include a range of stools, task chairs, and high chairs, with various frame and upholstery options, but all with the signature seat shell. However, their newest addition pays homage to the original Postura+ chair in the form of a pioneering one-piece polypropylene stool.

The new stool will be designed with the same commitment to ergonomics, durability, and versatility that has made the Postura+ chairs a staple in education institutions across the globe. It will also be available in all 20 of the current Postura+ colours.

For further information visit www.kieurope.com 20 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

MODULAR BUILD

Offsite evolution Achieving new standards of excellence with SEND schools

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etting the trend for offsite construction, school buildings are slowly but surely becoming a defining marker of quality in design for modern methods of construction (MMC). Here, Pick Everard senior project coordinator, Joe West, discusses how SEND schools operate within this model, despite having a very unique set of requirements set by government authorities, school

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boards and the wider construction supply chain.

Offsite evolution In January 2020, the Department for Education (DfE) announced the launch of the offsite schools’ framework (MMC1), expected to deliver 30 schools per year by 2024, at a projected cost of £3 billion. It represented the next step in the evolution of offsite construction

of school buildings, designed to ‘cultivate, innovate and modernise the industry’, and followed previous DfE modular A, B and C frameworks.

Pick Everard proudly participated in the bid that led to the appointment of Bowmer + Kirkland (B+K) to Lot 1 of the framework – a £2bn programme of secondary school projects above 6,000sqm – and has since entered into a collaborative working model with B+K that is

helping to deliver the next generation of schools across the country.

Progressing the programme We have worked across four projects with B+K so far, with some due to complete soon, including: • Suffolk Special Free School • Halton SEND FS Widnes • Bowman Academy Leicestershire • North Somerset MMC SEN These schools cater for pupils with a diverse set of needs, including SEND (Special Education Needs/ Disabilities). This presents an entirely unique set of design considerations, which need to be carefully considered within the overall construction programme.

During our experience with offsite programmes, we have seen the challenges in balancing the needs and desires of key stakeholders with what the construction supply chain needs to bring projects to fruition.

The importance of collaboration Due to the needs of SEND children, schools are always keen to discuss

their specific requirements. However, as architects, we too have our own unique set of design practices, which we are confident in delivering with compliance, and in an economically beneficial way. Finding the sweet spot between these elements is where our role is important.

It is why client engagement meetings (CEMs) are so vital to project success. Here, we take the school through the design process over a six-week period, which culminates in a design-frozen school layout. This will have already taken onboard project feasibility studies from the DfE, as well as early discussions with school bodies to establish a full brief on the school’s requirements and position within the community.

In practice, this was carried out extensively for the new SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) school, Bowman Academy in Loughborough.

Due to open in September 2024, its initial design process involved a series of aforementioned engagement events, including an online webinar and public consultation, held in

November 2021. This gave everyone, including stakeholders and the general public, project transparency and an opportunity to engage with the vision for the scheme, which carefully considered the needs of the local community, neighbours and nearby businesses.

The comprehensive design proposals were showcased publicly to an appropriate level of detail to ensure function, format and appearance of the scheme were easily understandable. This was carried out with confidence, given the extensive time spent collaborating and underpinning the MMC systems and details needed to construct and deliver a successful scheme.

Bowman Academy is just one example of the rigorous plans put in place to ensure smooth sailing of SEND programmes under the MMC framework, however project challenges still naturally occur, despite the best intentions of all involved. The very nature of offsite construction, however, means that the design allows for the fabrication of major components to occur in a

CAMPUS | Autumn 2023 | 23

controlled, regulated environment, facilitating repeatable and quality assured construction techniques.

Since the framework's inception, one of the main challenges has been overcoming those associated with the economy – which has undoubtedly had an impact on the delivery of the SEND schools – particularly now having gone through COVID-19 and subsequent material and supply chain shortages. This inevitably can impact project costs and places construction suppliers and organisations in a difficult position, but we have worked with B+K and its supply chain to overcome these issues at a challenging time for the entire industry. Ensuring transparency is especially crucial now, due to the unpredictable nature of the industry.

Joe West

Sowing the benefits For us, working with B+K is an effective collaboration. The DfE framework is also quite a flexible system and even as the DfE refreshes and updates this, the programmes are interchangeable so clients can pick the correct route and philosophy for the job.

The speed of construction is of one of the main perks to using the offsite method. Within this particular programme, the vast majority of internal and external construction components are to be sourced and assembled in a central location before arriving on site, saving time procuring from multiple suppliers.

At Bowman, construction will commence in summer 2023 with plans to complete in summer 2024, so these time restrictions call for an

efficient construction programme.

In addition, the ability to quality assure each element of the build prior to assembly is a real gamechanger in offsite construction.

Workers can be in place on the fabrication line, quality assessing all panels and associated materials before they go out to site, which is a huge advantage especially compared to working onsite conditions. As well as saving time, this is particularly important for the nature of the build of SEND schools, which can have specific design considerations compared to traditional counterparts.

Being able to deliver such important programmes within the education sector is also hugely rewarding, knowing how many children, young people, teachers and staff will benefit from these spaces for the next 30+ years.

Securing the future of SEND schools Overall, offsite as a particular model of MMC has been successful in helping to deliver this programme with B+K. As well as following the guidelines, it’s essential to show transparency, through high levels of communication. This should filter not only through to the client, but also the whole supply chain, which helps to cultivate and develop strong working relationships, which in turn help to secure the future of education in our country.

For more information, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk

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FURNITURE

Built for excellence Fitted furniture and its links to academic success by Tony Huggins, Managing Director of David Bailey Furniture Systems Ltd

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torage units and fitted furniture play a crucial role in creating functional and productive learning environments within educational institutions. Such is their impact in a modern school that managers and designers are now having to think again about the role of storage units and other fitted furniture items – and it looks set change the way our schools work for years to come.

Storage units and fitted furniture enable educational institutions to maintain a well-organised environment. They provide

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designated spaces for storing textbooks, supplies, equipment, and other learning materials.

By having dedicated storage solutions, classrooms, libraries, and administrative areas can remain clutter-free and promote efficient workflow.

Optimising space allows for better traffic flow, enhances accessibility, and maximises the usability of the available area. These elements contribute to organisational efficiency, student engagement, and most importantly - overall academic success.

We are talking here about humble

cupboards or storage units. They rarely get a lot of attention, but they are vital to the smooth-running of schools and colleges, the welfare of staff and students - and make a major contribution to the smooth running of the education sector.

The challenge for managers is to meet the needs of a modern education environment where no two projects are the same. On one end of the scale, modular construction continues to play a more important role with the need for new classroom space while at the other end, the skilled designer needs to look equally at buildings possibly more than 100

years old and badly in need of TLC to bring them up to standard.

Pressure on schools to meet ever increasing demands and challenges, exacerbated by the continued threat of Covid-19, mean that staff are having to work with storage units which have been installed for many years. In many cases these have become chipped or damaged, making them difficult to keep clean resulting in the potential for spreading infection. Modern units are designed to minimise this risk and should be a major consideration for architects when designing new interiors for schools.

It is also said that there are reports that teachers are frequently disappointed by the lack of storage space, particularly at a time when schools and colleges are being asked to be more flexible in their response to student needs.

Fitted furniture and storage solutions play a crucial role in creating a conducive and functional learning environment. Schools and academies need well-designed and organized spaces that promote learning and support the needs of students and staff.

There are many benefits for having good, robust fitted furniture and storage solutions for schools and academies, which is why managers and specifiers should be prepared to work closely with manufacturers to

produce the right solutions.

Well-designed fitted furniture and storage solutions promote a sense of order and organisation, making it easier for students and staff to access learning materials and equipment. This can help to reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving the overall learning experience.

Fitted furniture also offers opportunities for institutional branding and creates a positive visual impact. Educational institutions often seek to establish their unique identity and create a welcoming atmosphere for students, faculty, and visitors.

Customised fitted furniture with school logos, colours, or design add a sense of pride and fosters a sense of community. A visually appealing environment positively influences the perception of the institution and enhances the overall learning experience.

Storage units in educational institutions are not limited to books and supplies but also play a crucial role in ensuring safety and security.

Cabinets and lockable compartments allow for secure storage of valuable equipment, sensitive documents, and personal belongings. Implementing proper storage protocols and security measures helps prevent theft, unauthorized access, and damage to property.

Fitted furniture and storage

solutions can also enhance the aesthetics of any learning environment, creating an attractive and engaging space for students to learn. This can be achieved through careful selection of colours and materials, creating an inviting and comfortable environment that supports learning.

Architects and specifiers should also consider colour choices and the need to develop attractive environments for students because these factors can have a significant impact on the learning experience.

Colours and materials that are too bright or too dull can be distracting or uninviting, making it difficult for students to focus and engage in the learning process.

Ideally, architects and managers should work closely with manufacturers such as David Bailey Furniture Systems to produce the right solutions for schools to solve storage problems because every school has unique needs and requirements. A one-size-fits-all approach may not be suitable for all schools, and working closely with manufacturers can help to identify the best solutions for each school's specific needs. This can include customised storage solutions, with fitted furniture and other equipment that is designed to meet the unique needs of each school.

The best choice and options for

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fitted furniture and storage solutions for schools and academies include flexible and modular designs that can be easily adapted to changing needs. For example, modular fitted furniture can be configured in different ways to support different learning activities, while flexible storage solutions can be easily reconfigured to accommodate changing storage needs. Additionally, fitted furniture and storage solutions should be designed with safety and durability in mind, with materials and construction that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use.

Fixed storage units are now fitted with sloping tops to ensure dust is unable to build up and any surfaces can be easily wiped clean. Safety is also a consideration as staff could store boxes on top of wall units without sloping tops which would constitute a health and safety risk.

Serious consideration must be given to ensuring that there are no sharp corners or edges where students, particularly younger pupils, might be injured as a result of a fall. As already mentioned, the right choice of colour – particularly in primary schools - and making the best use of available space is also a challenge – while at all times delivering maximum value for money.

There is no doubt that schools 28 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

are striving to be more welcoming, but that is difficult when you have buildings in serious need of refurbishment and where space is critical, possibly due to overcrowding and need to create more classrooms.

While these challenges are well documented it would be easy to ask what this has to do with something as humble as a storage unit? The answer is simple - clean vibrant units provide essential facilities for teaching professionals, but more importantly, well maintained colourful units help to create the right ambience for pupils.

This is particularly important at a time when schools are being asked to be more flexible with the ability to adapt – sometimes in just a few hours - to the rapidly changing needs of student demands.

The most important focus for every school facility is of course the students. This must have an impact on everything we do in terms of designing fitted furniture for a school environment where we should ask ourselves one key question. How can we make the education experience better and create an environment that promotes wellbeing?

While good design, colour and materials all play a key part in this, it really all comes down to working closely with schools to provide solutions that individually

work for them. One of the primary benefits of fitted furniture in schools is its flexibility. Fitted furniture can be designed to fit the unique requirements of a classroom, with shelves, drawers, and cupboards customised to store educational materials and supplies in a neat and organised way.

The flexibility of fitted furniture allows teachers to make the most of limited classroom space, providing efficient storage solutions that help to maximise available space and create a more spacious learning environment for students.

Fitted furniture is also durable, which makes it an ideal choice for the wear and tear of school use.

Made from high-quality materials, fitted furniture can withstand heavy use and remain in good condition for many years. This durability means that schools do not have to worry about continually replacing storage units, which can be costly and timeconsuming. In short - fitted furniture is a cost-effective option for schools, providing long-term value for money.

So yes, it is time to think again about the humble storage unit – and that is the challenge.

For further information visit https:// education.davidbaileyfurniture.co.uk/

RESTORATION

Connecting old and new

Wright & Wright Architects complete redevelopment programme at St John’s College, Oxford

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right & Wright Architects have completed a decadelong redevelopment and conservation programme at St John’s College, Oxford. The culmination of this project sees the restoration and remodelling of two of Oxford’s most historic libraries, an environmental upgrade to a unique sequence of Grade I listed spaces, and the conservation of what has been described as the most important Baroque building in the UK. The primary purpose of the scheme has been to expand library and study space at the College, thereby improving facilities for students, staff and Fellows as well as attracting international research talent for public programmes. The opening of our award-winning new

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Library and Study Centre in 2019 radically improved the College with the creation of dedicated new library space for students for the first time in the College’s history. In turn this has enabled the restoration and conservation of the College’s historic libraries, and a successful creative fusion of old and new that seamlessly knits together contemporary architecture and Grade I listed buildings. Additionally, through a range of environmental control strategies, the project decreases the carbon footprint of the College and serves as an exemplar of sustainability.

Connecting old and new With successive phases of expansion and development at St John’s drawing students away from the College’s original core, there was

a danger that the historic libraries would cease to be actively used and that the extraordinary 17th century Canterbury Quadrangle would be populated more by tourists than students. Positioning the new Library and Study Centre just beyond the quadrangle aimed to address this, but the dilemma of how to connect old and new without disrupting the appearance of the Grade I listed building remained. The solution lay behind a long-disused door within the quadrangle’s eastern cloister.

A half-forgotten corridor, known as the Otranto Passage, was originally constructed as part of the Canterbury Quadrangle in order to give the cloister spatial balance. More recently it had been used as library storage space and, with the creation of the Library and Study Centre, provided the

perfect alternative route from the Canterbury Quadrangle into the Old and Laudian Libraries. We inserted a new staircase and lift to provide fully accessible connections between the Study Centre and Laudian Library, establishing a cohesive sequence of spaces that culminates with the Old Library. Here, precious Special Collections are now kept behind a new glass screen which provides enhanced security without disrupting the character of the Old Library.

Restoring the historic libraries The Old Library at St John’s College represents a critical moment in architectural history, as this was the first college library to be equipped with shelved bookcases or presses instead of the low lecterns typically found in medieval libraries. These rare 16th century bookcases survive, and were restored to their historic and aesthetic integrity by removing later accretions and undertaking careful conservation and repair.

The interior of the adjacent Laudian Library – named after its 17th century patron William Laud – was the subject of an overenthusiastic Victorian restoration, and was cluttered and cramped.

Bookshelves were poorly arranged and there were not enough desks for students to study comfortably. We

unobtrusively adjusted the layout to create additional study space, making for a more comfortable and productive environment, without disrupting the character and architectural authenticity of the historic interior. An area at the junction of the Old and Laudian Libraries has also been restored as a new exhibition space, where treasures from the College’s extraordinary collection are now displayed.

Reinstating the historic heart of St John’s The architectural glory of St John’s College is the Canterbury Quadrangle, which was completed in 1635. We replaced two colonnades supporting the quadrangle cloisters as part of a comprehensive programme of historic building conservation and repair. The original 17th century columns - carved using local Bletchingdon Marble, off-bed - had developed dangerous fissures, with several having been replaced with Portland stone in the early 20th century. The consequent visual mismatch, and instability of the surviving original columns, necessitated their entire

replacement.

As the original marble is no longer quarried, the practice undertook a painstaking programme of sourcing and laboratory testing (as well as delicate negotiations with Historic England) to identify a suitable replacement stone, before settling on Swaledale Fossil – a carboniferous limestone from County Durham, more than 350 million years old. The removal and replacement of the columns – and the propping of the quadrangle arcades – proved a significant technical challenge. The result, however, is an outstanding engineering feat: polishing has revealed a dense pattern of gleaming fossils on the surface of each column, and the new colonnade has restored the architectural coherence and visual harmony of Laud’s arrangement. The columns’ cool grey shading complements the honey-like tones of the quadrangle’s stonework and emphasises the overall composition.

Elsewhere throughout the Canterbury Quadrangle, we oversaw a comprehensive programme of masonry repairs – including to parapets and mouldings, as well as the quadrangle’s two ceremonial frontispieces and intricate decorative frieze. Stone paving to the cloisters was also replaced.

Within, a series of rooms beneath the Old Library – known as the Paddy Rooms – had been unsympathetically converted to create additional library space in the 1970s. From the outset, their interiors were cramped and unattractive, with students struggling CAMPUS | Autumn 2023 | 31

to find space to study. Poor quality partitions, ugly suspended ceilings and harsh lighting made for uninspiring interiors that jarred with their historic setting.

The creation of the new Library and Study Centre properly resolved the shortage of adequate study space for students, enabling the contents of the Paddy Rooms to be moved, with the spaces reinstated as a suite of teaching rooms for College Fellows.

Here, the project team’s approach was heavily informed by extensive photographic and archival research into the historic layout and details of these spaces. Blocked openings were opened, and 1970s addition removed, with original fireplaces and timber panelling restored to reflect the original, re-discovered finishes.

Balancing sustainability and conservation A particular challenge given their Grade I listed status was improving services and upgrading the historic libraries’ thermal performance, a key element of the College’s brief.

Insulation was installed where possible without disturbing the existing stone-clad roof. Unobtrusive secondary glazing to the historic libraries has significantly reduced heat loss, while concealed and more efficient services now replace an earlier jumble of radiators and pipework. This in turn has enabled the historic bookcases to be carefully restored where parts had been carelessly hacked into to accommodate pipe runs. Harsh lighting has also been replaced with more sympathetic bespoke fittings, 32 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

and a new network of data and power cables was seamlessly installed into the historic interiors.

Thanks to collaboration with engineers Max Fordham, we have successfully balanced energy performance measures with sensitive interventions. When design work began over ten years ago, the sustainability strategy centred on passive design principles and maximising on-site renewable energy generation was seen as pioneering.

The large expanse of the Great Lawn adjacent to the Canterbury Quadrangle allowed for the installation of boreholes to provide heating and cooling to both the new Library and Study Centre as well as the historic libraries – an uncommon approach at the time – and a large PV array on the new Library and Study Centre allows this low-energy project to generate a significant amount of the energy being consumed.

Measured energy data has shown that the Library and Study Centre is performing exceptionally well in terms of operational energy consumption, meeting the RIBA and LETI targets, with carbon emissions also well below CIBSE industry benchmarks. Taken together, the old and new library and study spaces are fundamental in helping St John’s College to decarbonise, as part of the University of Oxford’s target to achieve net zero carbon by 2035.

Collaborations and discoveries The conservation of the historic spaces at St John’s College is the result of close and productive relationships with Historic England,

the City Planning and Conservation officers, the College community and specialist conservators who, together with the project team, questioned and challenged all decisions to ensure they would achieve the best possible outcomes. This team included stonework specialists Szerelmey, specialist joiners at Owlsworth IJP, and NBJ, as well as decorative arts conservators Cliveden Conservation.

Throughout the programme, a series of artist collaborations resulted in site-specific commissions across the site, including a sculpted stone relief on the walls of the Library and Study Centre by Susanna Heron, and tapestries by Susan Morris and Mary Lum. The completion of works at St John’s College marks the end of an extraordinary project, and the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the history of the College. St John’s have been a remarkable and far-sighted client - carefully balancing their responsibilities as custodians of historic buildings and spaces with a willingness to embrace contemporary architecture and a pioneering approach to environmental sustainability. Our work has focused on improving the student experience and preserving the function and meaning of historic buildings, through an approach that develops a built tradition of craft and making, and enhances the spirit of the place.

Sandy Wright is founding partner at Wright & Wright Architects www.wrightandwright.co.uk

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TECHNOLOGY

Which AI marketing tools are suitable?

Thomas Peham, VP of Marketing at enterprise CMS Storyblok, discusses which major technology trends universities should consider investing in

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ithout a doubt, the last couple of years have seen some major innovation leaps in tech.

Firstly, towards the end of 2021, the world braced itself as Facebook

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announced its Meta rebrand as part of Zuckerberg’s bold vision for the next iteration of the web. Cue everyone from Apple, Microsoft and Google through to Disney and even Gucci jumping on the metaverse bandwagon for a slice of the poten-

tially hugely lucrative pie that an immersive, 3D internet will bring.

Then more recently we saw OpenAI break the generative AI mould with the launch of ChatGPT – a new breed of tools with an uncanny ability to generate near-perfect

human-like text. The result has been vastly improved AI-generated emails, blogs, articles and the like, along with widespread debate as to what it all means for the future of marketing (and has even led some universities to ban its use for students’ uni work).

But while both technologies certainly constitute a watershed moment for tech, there are still many questions which remain unanswered for universities and campus estate management. Principally, what does it all mean for the future of university communications and which tools are most important?

Of course, these concepts are very different both in their scope and stage of development. The metaverse is still essentially on the drawing board, whereas services such as ChatGPT and DALL-E are already being incorporated into tech platforms and being used to fulfil specific functions. In fact, we quickly got a taste of generative AI being

applied to our platform when our partner Virtual Identity created a plugin for our CMS to enable content creators to insert images generated

by DALL-E while they are working on webpages. In one fell swoop, Virtual Identity had removed both the tedious nature of searching image libraries and the need to buy stock photos. Creators could generate the most appropriate image they needed instantly, without even leaving our CMS. What the metaverse and AI have in common is that they pose strategic questions to companies.

Every time a new ‘hot’ tech trend emerges, organisations need to parse whether it is simply hype or a solution that provides a clear commercial opportunity which will require investment to realise. The metaverse itself may not ever arrive in the manner that Meta envisions, however, artificial and virtual experiences do present obvious

and exciting new ways to engage customers. Universities can invest in developing these experiences now and potentially carve out a competitive advantage and align their brand with innovation. On the other hand, AI presents a number of clear ways to both engage customers through, for example, chatbot experiences, and create serious efficiencies through automation.

Combining both major trends opens the door to a mind-boggling number of new use cases.

So what is the best course of action? Invest time and money on one, bank on both or do nothing until the best applications emerge?

The answer to that is far from straightforward and will very much depend on the commercial strategy of each university. It also depends on the content experiences universities are focused on or are trying to create, whether it is public content for current and prospective students,

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student network content (extranet/ intranet), student collaboration content, alumni network content or other stakeholder content. What is universally true is that to use AI, AR/VR or indeed any new tech in your marketing effectively, you need to ensure you have the right modern tech platforms. Far too many further education institutions invest in experimenting with, or applying, new innovations when really their resources would be much better applied ensuring the infrastructure they use is up to scratch. We

Thomas Peham

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regularly conduct research into the state of CMS in the UK and the findings show that the majority of businesses are still using outdated and inflexible CMS systems to run their marketing. For example, 55% said they had to use multiple CMS systems. Using more than one CMS can cause disorganised workflows, content siloing, and communication issues, as well as increasing costs and reducing efficiency.

Nearly a third said they were forced to do that because their infrastructure was outdated. 87% of the companies we surveyed said that modernising their content operations produced significant financial and productivity benefits.

To put it bluntly, if your organisation is struggling to efficiently run its existing frontends (such as website, apps, student intranet, alumni intranet, and job boards), produce personalised communications campaigns and effectively manage content on its channels as it is – adding in more complex advanced tech is never

going to work. This doesn’t just mean having, for example, a headless CMS platform – it also means ensuring that your data infrastructure is up to scratch. Effective marketing is run on data and that is even more true for AI and VR/AR experiences.

Of course, Rome wasn’t built in a day and we can certainly not expect the full evolution of the metaverse, generative AI or any other tech breakthroughs to be ready anytime soon. What universities can do, however, is begin to consider it and prepare now. Ironically, this actually starts at the beginning – ensuring a solid foundation is in place with a good, modern tech infrastructure which will make your life much easier, save your team time and money, allow you to create more effective campus marketing campaigns, and ultimately enable your university to capitalise on any new tech trends and be ready for tomorrow, today.

For further information please visit www.storyblok.com

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SUSTAINABILITY

The heat is on Kensa Group specify Spirotech product for groundbreaking project

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lymouth Marjon University is well on the way to becoming one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly universities following the completion of one of the largest ground pump heat source installations in England.

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The second phase of the project known as ‘Marjon Zero’ was completed in September last year and, within the revamped domestic services provision, is a market-leading product from Spirotech, specialists in the field of system water quality in closed

HVAC systems. The SpiroCombi deaerators/dirt separators designed for the simultaneous removal of air and dirt from water systems – help improve cost control and energy efficiency and effectively removes circulating air and microbubbles. Dirt can be discharged

whilst the system is in operation and no shut-off valves or bypass is required.

The university’s new groundbreaking system was designed

by Kensa Contracting, the UK’s first specialist delivery partner for mass ground source heat pump installations. Will Yapp, NonDomestic Design Engineer at Kensa Contracting, takes up the story. “It was a very fast-paced project due to the public sector decarbonisation scheme deadlines being utilised to facilitate the project which involved stripping out the gas boilers serving large parts of the university and replacing them with new ones, before the next stage involving the installation of ground source heat pumps as part of Marjon’s push to become net carbon zero by 2030.

(This will save an estimated 617 tonnes of carbon each year).

“The design work for the plantroom started in July last year and decommissioning the old boilers began in December. One plant room served both the north and west wings of the campus with its boilers being replaced with 560kw of heat pumps as part of a two-stage system.

The requirement was to reach a temperature of up to a 70 degrees flow – with one set of heat pumps able to achieve 45 degrees, whilst another heat pump set added an additional 30 degrees to take the system to target temperature.

“A single heat pump on the West Wing delivers a load of 50kw; whilst 45 Kensa Shoebox Heat Pumps were also installed to serve the accommodation blocks.

“Spirotech’s SpiroTrap filtration dirt separators are very effective and were installed in line with the LTHW return in order to provide excellent levels of filtration to protect the new plant as we were unable to provide physical separation between the distributed heating system and the new heat generating plant due to spatial constraints” he said.

A SpiroVent was proposed to be installed on the flow from the boilers and heat pumps at the hottest point in the system, which in a heating system, is the point where the system water leaves the heater. In a cooling system, it should be installed in the return line, just before it enters the cooler. Due to the tight time frames

this wasn’t available and so a SpiroCombi was deployed instead, adding a second pass at filtration in addition to deaeration of the system.

Kensa Contracting commissioned Peak Mechanical Services Ltd to undertake the installation and, according to Peak Director Ben Walker, the project was originally envisaged as a ‘stand-alone’ one. He commented: “However, the decision was taken to split the work into two phases, which was deemed to be

a better approach to the work. The University system was between 20 and 30 years old and there were a number of challenges that we faced.

C“We were told at the outset that we would have 10 days on site in which to complete the job, but we were able to complete it in just seven by working 14-hour days. Two weeks prior to going on-site, we started the planning process of organising and structuring the onsite activity and the overall plan of attack.

CAMPUS | Autumn 2023 | 39

“The work involved emptying the whole of the plant room, carrying out the decommissioning of the existing gas fired boilers and then installing the new Hamworthy boilers and pipework before connecting to the existing pipework and the distribution pumps. One of the key elements of the project was the decarbonising and installation of heat pumps.

“Those connections entering the plant room had to be cryogenically frozen – initially six of them, but at the final count 10. There were no major issues needing to be resolved during the commissioning of the equipment. One of the key elements in the process is undertaking water quality testing and it is vital to flush, clean and dose before and after to ensure that no contaminants are pulled through the pumps resulting Alan Macklin in damage to the pipes.”

The first development stage of 40 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

the ‘Marjon’ project was completed in 2020 and involved the installation of some 2000 solar panels, which are estimated to reduce annual carbon emissions by a very substantial 300 tonnes. In addition to this, the University has commissioned a number of electric vehicle charging stations, as well as turning to energy efficient LED lighting.

A spokesperson for the University said “This project involving Kensa and Salex has been incredibly efficient and successful. We are striving to become one of the greenest universities in the UK through research and our passion for a more sustainable world. Our Marjon Zero project has targeted carbon emissions from structural features to operational matters such as waste disposal and suppliers.

“We are working to provide a safer environment and greener place for our current and future students

and are thankful to Kensa and Salex for helping us take leaps towards our 2030 carbon net zero goal. The University will now go on to retrofit its current buildings and continue to enhance our carbon-saving project.”

The project has been funded by PSDS grant which is administered by Salex, which delivers the government funding scheme for the public sector and aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

Spirotech is the global leader in system water conditioning and analysis for HVAC and process systems, with over 60 years’ experience in developing solutions to prevent and remove air and dirt for domestic, commercial and industry applications.

For further information please visit www.spirotech.co.uk

Inspirational learning environments • Constructor (modular building supply) and main

• Customised to client specifications and needs.

• Architecturally designed & inspirational learning

• Repeatable classroom designs, creating efficiency

contractor (as required) that offers a full turnkey solution approach.

environments. Our buildings can be visually indistinguishable from traditionally built schools.

• Utilising SEISMIC platform design and achieving a high level of PMV.

Visit algeco.com for more information

From glazing to wall cladding finishes; even teaching spaces can be configured.

through standardisation. Standardisation is key to driving greater efficiency throughout all aspects of the project and delivery.

• We are recognised by a number of key frameworks, which are the DfE MMC1 LOT 1, CCS, NHS-SBS and the LHC.

HYGIENE

Clean & sustainable Soap dispensers help Leeds University achieve its sustainability aims Campus wide approach to sustainability Sustainability is integral to staff and students at the University of Leeds and is embedded in the University’s strategy and across campus operations.

The University is committed to removing avoidable single use plastic, as well as addressing the climate impact of procurement decisions. The University’s Climate Plan, approved in 2021, is the single biggest investment it has ever made 42 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

and includes a goal to reach net zero emissions by 2030.

Delivering against these commitments requires collaboration and action across the whole University community, and a significant initiative is currently taking place across the campus washroom environments.

A dual solution to washroom sustainability To help deliver against the University’s sustainability

commitments, the cleaning services team carefully researches and selects environmentally friendly cleaning and hygiene equipment, working in close partnership with its preferred distribution and services partner, Bunzl Cleaning & Hygiene Supplies.

When they heard about the combination of two sustainable washroom products, SOAP₂O biodegradable soap sachets, matched with a contemporary and stylish dispenser made from recycled plastic

by Hylab, they knew it had found the perfect solution for hand hygiene requirements.

Hylab’s Myriad Recycled Soap Dispensers have casings made from 100% recycled plastic. Global designer and manufacturer of soap and paper systems, Hylab produces the range in the UK. To make the recycled dispensers, waste plastic material from Hylab’s manufacturing lines is recovered and reprocessed in its on-site recycling centre and returned to the production cycle, saving valuable resources.

The dispenser is certified under the EuCertPlast scheme for European Plastics Recyclers. Robust and high-quality, the soap dispensers are perfectly suited for the high numbers of staff and students regularly using them to clean and moisturise hands.

The SOAP2O product formula is vegan and 100 per cent biodegradable, caring for skin and eliminating germs. The water-soluble sachets are easy for the cleaning services team to use, with no single-use plastics in any part of the product or packaging.

There is a simple five-step processfill, add, shake, shake again and go.

This starts with filling a four-litre reusable bottle with water, adding four of the sachets, shaking till they dissolve, and shaking again. The

product is then ready to be poured

into the dispensing unit for use.

CAMPUS | Autumn 2023 | 43

Implementation Approximately 1,500 of Hylab’s Myriad Recycled Soap Dispensers will be installed in academic faculties across the campus, ensuring the highest levels of hand hygiene for over 39,000 students from more than 100 different countries and 9,200 staff. This is being undertaken by the university’s estates team in a phased roll-out, with 240 of the wall-mounted dispensers currently in place.

The soap dispensers are being introduced into a wide range of facilities with hygiene requirements, covering washrooms, kitchens, laboratories, and areas specially designed for practical teaching. This includes mock up workshops for engineering students and specially designed wards for medical students.

Benefits The dispensers, which have a capacity of 900ml and approximately 1500 doses, deliver the perfect amount of the foam soap, reducing consumption by 85 per cent, meaning 44 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

less refills and cost savings. With a smooth design and a window with a seamless join, cleaning is easy too.

The SOAP2O sachets are wrapped in PVA (poly vinyl alcohol) water soluble film, meaning there is no waste to discard of and the packaging is 100% recyclable. Since there are no single-use plastics in any part of the product or packaging, no microplastics are deposited into the water system, making it a one hundred per cent eco responsible product.

The dosing is always precise which means that the active ingredients in the ready-made sachets will work at the optimum level and costs can be completely controlled and monitored.

As the soap comes in lightweight sachets, 36,000 sachets can be delivered on just one pallet, with environmental and cost benefits.

The weight of the load is lighter, with zero shipping of water, which lowers transportation costs, lowers emissions, and reduces the storage

space required at the university.

Manual handling risks are reduced too, as each small box contains twelve sachets, compared to twelve heavy litres of liquid concentrate.

Additionally, on a monthly basis SOAP₂O donate fresh drinking water to developing countries on behalf of Leeds University, through the Made Blue Foundation. This equates to 1,000 litres per every thirty sachets used by the university.

Jill Roberts, Head of Cleaning Services at Leeds University said: “We selected SOAP2O and Hylab’s Myriad Recycled Soap Dispensers, as the two products work perfectly together, helping us on our journey to net zero. This is one of the biggest initiatives that the university has undertaken to eliminate single use plastic and use products made from recycled material, supporting our environmental goals.”

For more information please visit www.hylabdispensers.com

Moving to mobile 65% of companies already use mobile access or plan to within 2 years.

Don’t be left behind. Download today our solution guide and discover the benefits of mobile access control. campaigns.assaabloyopeningsolutions.eu/smartair-moving-to-mobile

Experience a safer and more open world

DIRECTORY

As Europe’s leading supplier, installer and integrator of digital television and audio visual equipment, Airwave can deliver your vision. With a presence in all key sectors including: healthcare, education, retail & leisure, stadia, prisons and transport, Airwave’s customer base is diverse. www.airwave.tv

As the UK’s market-leading provider of technology led compliance and risk management solutions, our purpose is to help organisations be safer, healthier, and stronger. Our guide explains a range of measures and safety commitments so that universities are fully prepared and to keep the spread of the virus under control. www.alcumusgroup.com

The ASSA ABLOY Group is the global leader in access solutions. Our offering covers products and services related to openings, such as locks, doors, gates and entrance automation solutions. This also includes expertise in controlling identities with keys, cards, tags, mobile and biometric identity verification systems.

Buildings today don’t only provide a safe, functional place for people to live and work. They can also cater for – and even respond to – their needs, while helping them work more efficiently and sustainably. At Bosch Building Technologies, we are at the forefront of these new developments. www.boschbuildingtechnologies.com

www.assaabloy.com

Club Car boasts nearly 60 years of industry-leading innovation and design, initially focused on golf cars and then expanding to commercial utility vehicles and personal-use transportation. www.clubcar.com

Our education solutions are developed from the ground up to increase campus security and safety while extending the capabilities of student, faculty and staff ID badges. Our solutions can be used for convenient access to buildings, computer login, cashless vending and campus activities. www.hidglobal.com

Hysopt is unique design software that helps building managers get the most out of their heating and cooling systems. In collaboration with installation companies and engineering firms, we can cut your annual energy bill by 10 to 50%. www.hysopt.com

LapSafe® created its first products to meet the needs of the education market and although we have since expanded into many other sectors, this remains our largest and most established area of expertise. Our products have been thoroughly tested by every type of education and academic institution www.lapsafe.com

46 | Autumn 2023 | CAMPUS

Originally founded in 1921, the company known today as Mitsubishi Electric has almost 100 years of experience in providing reliable, high quality products and support to installers, specifiers, corporate clients and general consumers all over the world. https://les.mitsubishielectric.co.uk

With more and more consideration being given to energy usage and the increasing implementation of green legislation, PumpSmart Limited is able to assist with the identification of areas where real energy savings can be made. New products, aimed at energy consumption reduction, are constantly entering the market with potential to improve existing installations. www.pumpsmart.co.uk

From its inception in 2001, SALTO was created with one objective: to devise a world-class access control system that was simple to use and extremely efficient, giving users the ability to control all their access needs and secure all their doors without complex and expensive wiring.

We drive digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies to realize the full efficiency and sustainability opportunities for your establishment.

We provide end-point to cloud integration connecting products, controls, software and services.

www.saltosystems.com

https://www.se.com

As a trusted advisor and reliable partner, as a system integrator, service provider and a product vendor, Siemens offers energy-efficient, safe and secure buildings and infrastructure. With our people, our global footprint and our technical expertise, it's our passion helping you to create the perfect place – your perfect place.

Simpli-Fi are expert at helping educational establishments get the most out of wireless technology. We implement bespoke, reliable, scalable, flexible, and secure enterprise-grade, managed wireless networks that connect unlimited devices anywhere on site. www.simpli-fi.co.uk

www.siemens.com

Award-winning AV integrator, providing bespoke AV solutions with a strong company ethos, collegiality and partnership approach. Evolving with developments in AV technology allows Strive AV to deliver excellence across education, corporate, health and retail environments, providing AV solutions which transform communication and enhance end user’s experiences.

Veolia Water Technologies UK (VWT UK) is a leading water treatment solutions and services provider with a unique global presence and 160 years of experience. VWT UK strives to provide innovative solutions such as the new PURELAB Quest compact water purification unit that can generate Type I, II and III water. www.veoliawatertechnologies.co.uk

www.striveav.com

CAMPUS | Autumn 2023 | 47

Desigo – the state-of-the-art building automation system One system for all requirements of an intelligent building

siemens.com/desigo