For the past 20 years the RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) has been celebrating both the built and natural environment, and awarding projects in the following categories: building conservation, community benefit, regeneration and sustainability. These prestigious industry awards are given to projects that demonstrate excellence in their category along with a commitment to value for money and sustainability.

ADP is pleased to announce that this year, Woodland Court, a £17.5m student residences scheme at the University of Bath, has received a ‘Highly Commended’ from the RICS Awards 2010 under the sustainability category. The new building is rated BREAM ‘Excellent’ and demonstrates sustainability at every level: this is rare as less than ten student residences in the UK have achieved this rating.

The innovative four-storey building provides high quality student accommodation, with over 350 study bedrooms with en-suite facilities and integrated ICT. Bordering an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the building was designed to seamlessly integrate with its surrounding landscape, and cause minimal impact to the environment. Sustainable considerations include developing a building with a high thermal mass, using carefully proportioned windows with screening to maximize day lighting whilst avoiding solar glare, high insulation levels, energy recovery from extract air, solar-preheating of water, and advanced boiler technology.

The building underwent a thorough lifecycle costing process and was used by the BRE as a case study in developing the new 'Outstanding' rating.