May 14 2008

Queen Margaret University’s new East Lothian campus has been shortlisted for a  Scottish Design Award in the sustainable design category. The £105 million campus project was designed by Dyer architecture practice, and is laid out over 35 acres, designed around an extensive flagship building.

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award and are aware of the high standard of competition. Sustainability was at the centre of our brief from the outset and Dyer has succeeded in outperforming the education sector in that regard without compromising on the buildings’ aesthetic qualities,” Queen Margaret University Vice Principal Rosalyn Marshall said.

Dale Sinclair, Director at Dyer added that the building’s layout was conducive to social learning, and was at pains to highlight the biulding's claimed ecological credentials.

"Concrete’s qualities have been exploited for heating and cooling purposes. Energy consumption and heat generation have been drastically reduced through the use of ‘thin client’ technology and carbon emissions reduced by 75% using a biomass heating system. Rainwater is harvested in the Sustainable Urban Drainage pond which also encourages bio-diversity,” he said 

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