Leicester University’s Centre for Medicine biggest non-resi building to get mark

Leicester University Centre for Medicine

Willmott Dixon’s £42m Centre for Medicine building for the University of Leicester has been officially recognised as meeting Passivhaus standards.

Designed by Associated Architects it is the largest non-residential facility to achieve the low energy standard in the UK.

The building will feature a green wall and roof as well as state-of-the-art heating, cooling and ventilation system. The new complex brings together departments currently spread over multiple sites.

The university’s £32m investment in the new building is the largest investment in medical teaching and applied research by a UK university in the last decade. It has launched an appeal to find the final £10m to complete the project.

Willmott Dixon operations manager James Elliment said the project was “hugely significant” and Warren Jukes, director of Associated Architects, added: “What we have achieved has shown it is possible to meet the challenges of energy reduction while developing an estate. Its significance shouldn’t be under estimated as it is now a national exemplar and energy performance benchmark for future developments of this scale and complexity,” he added.