Client’s Requirements

Huddersfield University wanted to create a new national business and law school.  The new business school included a new Law School with associated law practice rooms and a mock court room which provides students with spectacular views of the canal from the roof level terrace.

The Business School, lies between First Street and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, and marked the latest phase of the University's £150 million works programme.

The design incorporated an inside 'street' with areas where students can sit and chat, as well as a café, allowing a chance for staff and students to interact and work through ideas in a less formal setting.

Silcock Leedham’s Contribution

Silcock Leedham was appointed, by Faithful & Gould Project Managers, to undertake full detailed design duties and dynamic thermal, CFD and daylight modelling.

Central to the project’s design were energy and carbon saving considerations.  The whole building was designed to be energy efficient, incorporating state-of-the-art energy saving technology.  As a result of this the building achieved a BREEAM 'Very Good' rating for best practice in sustainable design.        

Added Value / Unique Selling Points

Silcock Leedham was valued for the care and consideration shown when consulting the University staff and stakeholders to establish the brief and project aspirations, ensuring coordination was maintained with the project architects and lead consultants, Farrell & Clark.

We were also recognised for our engineering design and thermal modelling work to achieve, not just a low energy design solution, but a long term sustainable ‘engineering map’ for the development including use of recycled materials, passive ventilation, active use of the building thermal dynamics and cross checking life cycle costs for on- going design feedback.