Information about this scheme

Sitting within a historic context and designed to complement adjacent listed buildings, the Lyth Building is the new front door of the campus, designed to enhance the campus identity and provide a sense of arrival and gravitas. The building is the first step in the University’s ambition to open up Brackenhurst as a visitor attraction and to showcase the campus as an integrated working farm and university, focusing on a sustainable and carbon-neutral future. The development has been influenced by the historic and agricultural features around the campus and the client’s sustainability aspirations. The orientation was established at the outset with consideration for fundamental sustainable design principles, looking to maximise solar gain to reduce operational energy demand. As such the building, consisting of two blocks – Reception Building and Environmental Centre – linked by a reception, developed into a H-shape configuration, opening to the south to create a courtyard area shielded from traffic noise, with retained maple tree. The courtyard is a contemporary play on the historic landscaped areas of the estate and recognises the important outdoor culture of the Brackenhurst Campus. This is reinforced by the external circulation ‘cloister’ on its east side, which provides generous covered external circulation around the new Environment Centre. The linking reception building takes an agricultural influence in its aesthetic. Low level windows bring in natural light at floor level while providing wall space for exhibitions to engage the university and wider community. The siting of the entrance defines a North-East edge, providing an arrival square and campus focal point, complete with lift tower which references the historic tower. Into the reception block there is a flexible 200 seat lecture theatre and refectory, with mezzanine space overlooking a sunken plaza with a reflective mirror pool, providing both a sense of tranquility and a space to relax. The form of the building allows the volumes of spaces to be read as a series of pavilions expressing a collegiate aesthetic. Each pavilion, constructed from prefabricated CLT panels as part of a modern method of construction, has its own ‘hipped’ zinc roof with projecting clerestory glazing, creating stimulating and healthy learning spaces with north-light and natural ventilation.

“The built environment remains a pivotal sector in helping UK plc make the successful transition to a low-carbon economy.  Designing and delivering schemes responsibility, aligned to true low-carbon principles is now prerequisite in order to make our transition happen and represents a key pillar of the Civic Trust Awards judging process.  The Lyth Building, at Nottingham Trent University stood out in the National Judging Panel deliberations for its clear commitment to and demonstration of, low carbon design with a biomass/CHP hybrid district heating system, CLT framing with timber panels and mixed mode servicing approach.  This scheme offers an excellent insight into how higher education schemes can help the UK in its transition to a net zero future.”

John Davies (Head of Sustainability, Derwent London)

Civic Trust Awards National Judging Panel