A £20 million eco-hotel project has opened its doors for the first time, located on the University of Nottingham’s award-winning main campus.
Boasting 220 bedrooms, a roof garden, brasserie and gym, the Orchard Hotel, designed by RHWL Architects and completed by BAM Construction, has impeccable green credentials.
The 9,300 square metre hotel has been designed to maximise energy efficiency and minimise carbon emissions, with a high performance building envelope, green roof, photovoltaic panels, ground source heat pumps, smart building management, and energy-efficient lighting, heating and ventilation systems.
The timber canopy has been designed with angled brise soleil to mitigate solar heat gain through the 155 square metre structural glass roof light. It is on track to receive a BREEAM Excellent rating which recognises low-impact buildings that incorporate the best environmental practice.
See the building while under construction by clicking here.
Pro-vice chancellor for environment and infrastructure, Professor Karen Cox, said: “The Orchard is the latest in a series of award-winning buildings developed on the University of Nottingham’s campuses, which have underlined our commitment to sustainable architecture and construction.”
Ged Flanagan, construction director at BAM Construction, added that they too share the vision of the university in constructing buildings of the highest standards, and Corrie Jones, associate at RHWL Architects said “situating the hotel within the surrounding sloping grassland and minimising its impact both physically and environmentally, while still creating a striking building, was their main aim.”
Tony Dangerfield, CEO of De Vere Venues added: “The Orchard Hotel is a fantastic new addition to our portfolio representing a significant investment by the University in the city of Nottingham.
“At De Vere Venues we are committed to redefining the guest experience, doing things differently and giving our customers what they actually want and this new, beautiful hotel will make the East Midlands Conference Centre a complete, one-stop venue to fulfil and exceed all our guests’ expectations.”
