Teesside University’s Digital Life achieves BREEAM Outstanding certificate
Digital Life is home to the School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies at the university
Teesside University’s Digital Life building has gained its Post Construction BREEAM outstanding certificate.
Desco designed the MEP services for the new £40m building which is home to the School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies at the university and provides digital teaching and learning spaces, along with animation and digital fabrication spaces on the campus in Middlesbrough.
Its sustainable design represents Teesside’s commitment to a sustainable digital future.
The building was a great example of collaboration between the design team. Early stage work looked at ensuring the building fabric was as thermally efficient as possible, with low U values and optimum amounts of glazing. The building is all electric and makes use of high efficiency heat recovery heat pumps for both heating and hot water.
The building is fully mechanically ventilated and all air handling plant incorporates high efficiency fans and heat recovery. To compliment the all electric design, roof mounted PV is installed to minimise the use of grid electricity. To achieve an Outstanding rating, a score of over 85% is required.
BREEAM Outstanding is the highest rating available, with less than 1% of buildings achieving it.
The 4,985m² building covers four-floors and will provide students with state-of-the-art technology in smart labs, digital art studios featuring AI robotics, VR, VFX and animation suites and a multi-functional auditorium, which provides space for 750 people. Digital Life is a catalyst for physical and digital collaboration and study, simulating an industry-quality digital studio experience for students, business and visitors.
Innovative technology has been installed to aid the demand in flexible learning. Presenters from around the world will be able to interact with students using holographic displays. Meanwhile a digital twin of the building will allow visitors to remotely attend events and activities through VR and XR experiences.
The building features a unique perforated veil with dynamic cuts, symbolising ‘glitches’ in digital data. This creates a textured pattern that interacts with the interior and facade lighting, blending nature with technology. The veil provides solar shading and acts as vibrant public art, while at night the building lights up with different colours.