Double SKA Gold Award win for UCL

UCL are proud to announce that they have received the prestigious Gold SKA award for two of its newest refurbishment projects. This environmental assessment method led and owned by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), provides a benchmark and standard for non-domestic fit out in the construction sector.

Although the two properties were built approximately 200 years apart, with Level 50 Canada Square providing an expansion for the UCL School of Management from their base of operations on Level 38, and Gordon Square being an 18th century Georgian townhouse, home to UCL Policy Lab and Department of Political Science in the heart of Bloomsbury, the teams refurbishing each site sought to create outstanding 21st-century learning environments. 

To achieve this, as much as possible of the high-quality materials that were on site were refurbished and reused. Working towards the goals of UCL’s ambitious ‘Change Possible’ sustainability strategy, any new purchases had to contain a high proportion of re-usable material, were certified as sustainable in cases where organic materials were used, and ensured no waste went to landfill. Repairing and reusing materials also reduced the energy footprint of the projects.

These measures resulted in 82% of the timber doors at Level 50 being re-used as well as retention of glazed partitions, blinds, metal ceiling tiles, ironmongery, raised floor, fan coils & ductwork. The work on 36-38 Gordon Square focused on increasing the insulation of the site without modifying the listed-exterior and creating an interior that resonated with the retained original features of the building. 

With materials that were removed from site being advertised for free on the Reyooz platform, both sites were able to achieve recycling rates for their waste materials at 95% or higher, and have clearly set the standard for further projects going forward.