Innovative design and pioneering technology helped Swansea University scoop for a top award for one of its highest-profile new buildings.

[aoa id=”1″]The Active Office, which demonstrates the Active Building concept developed by SPECIFIC Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC), was officially opened a year ago, and won the Innovation in Delivering a Sustainable Education title at the prestigious Education Buildings Wales Awards which celebrate excellence and achievement in the field.[/aoa]

The building at the Bay Campus is a daily example of how to integrate innovative technologies that generate, store and release solar energy and challenges current construction methods. Designed by SPECIFIC, the UK IKC led by Swansea University, was conceived, designed and delivered in just eight months, using off-site modular construction. The office was praised by judges for proving the viability of the Active Building concept.

The University had two other buildings shortlisted at the event – the Computational Foundry and The College were in the running for the Project of The Year (Colleges & Universities) with the Computational Foundry also just missed out on the Innovating Learning Spaces awards.

Joanna Clarke, Active Building architect:

“This honour is a wonderful way to mark the anniversary of the Active Office’s official opening. This award recognises the efforts we are making in this field and is the result of ongoing collaborations and partnership working. We are thrilled that the judges have chosen to honour us.”