Multi-Faith Centre at University of Exeter

We are further extending our track-record for building property to the Passivhaus standard by constructing University of Exeter's new Multi-Faith Centre at Streatham Campus.

The Multi-Faith Centre replaces the existing Muslim prayer rooms and multi-faith spaces in the Old Library with a 50 person Muslim prayer space and a multi-faith space. It will also house a communal meeting space, a kitchen, a dedicated office for the Multifaith Chaplaincy Team, a Changing Places facility and an external terrace area.

Focus on sustainability

Sustainability and reducing carbon emissions are fundamental to the Multi-Faith Centre. The university's low carbon targets involve reducing regulated carbon emissions through a combination of sustainability initiatives in the design, construction and operational phases of the new building.

This will see our team work towards achieving Passivhaus Classic Certification to drive rigorous low-energy design standards into operation, significantly improving building comfort, air quality and energy use, with greater carbon reduction.

One way we'll do that is using low carbon Porotherm clay blocks, which are made from 30% recycled materials and have an expected lifespan of 150 years; even after which the blocks can be recycled. It will also incorporate high levels of insulation including triple glazed windows to drive high air tightness performance. The building will also benefit from air source heat pumps and PV solar panels on the roof.

Rob Woolcock, Director at Willmott Dixon in Exeter said: “

Having worked with the University of Exeter on a number of projects, the new and inclusive Multi-Faith Centre and supports the University’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, culture and heritage of its students and the wider community. It also aligns with our strategy to push the boundaries of sustainable design construction and operation of building.”

Passivhaus track record

Willmott Dixon is a founder member of the UK’s Passivhaus Trust, an independent, non-profit organisation that provides leadership for the adoption of the Passivhaus standard and methodology in the UK.

We are also is also behind a series of Passivhaus projects, from the largest non-domestic project, the centre for Medicine at the University of Leicester, to the largest secondary school, the Harris Academy in Sutton. More recently we delivered a Passivhaus trial in Caerphilly involving 18 new homes and eight further homes for Be First in Barking.