University College Birmingham shortlisted for Midlands Sustainability Excellence Award.

Taking place in the Midlands for the first time this year, the awards set out to recognise and celebrate the businesses and organisations that are working to make permanent and positive changes to their environmental impact, across the region.

Our submission for the ‘Sustainability Project’ award detailed the extensive regeneration work that went into re-purposing the Jewellery Quarter’s iconic 1920s James Cond Building, home to our Centre for Sustainable Construction.

Winners of the awards will be announced at the awards lunch on Friday, 23 May.

Read more about the Midlands Sustainability Excellence Awards 2025.

Introduction

University College Birmingham’s James Cond building project transformed a former Art Deco printworks into our Centre for Sustainable Construction.

The regeneration project restored Birmingham’s iconic 1920s Jewellery Quarter building, breathing new life into it by bringing it up to modern standards, whilst ensuring sustainable and energy-efficient features were thoughtfully integrated.
The 5,700m² teaching space educates the sustainable and environmentally aware construction teams of the future, emphasising the use of green technologies and modern methods of construction.

In 2022, the building hosted the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce’s Good Business Forum on sustainable cities and the finished project was shortlisted for the 2024 Regeneration and Retrofit Award.

The redevelopment of James Cond stands as an exemplary model for United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

It also boasts an impressive EPC rating: A.

Warmth

Air gaps throughout the building, which compromised energy efficiency, required innovative solutions to seal and improve insulation.

Heat pumps were chosen as they are highly energy-efficient, using electricity to transfer heat rather than generate it directly. Unlike traditional heating systems, such as gas boilers, which rely on combustion to produce heat, heat pumps can deliver several units of heat for every unit of electricity consumed.

The building’s solar EV system generates the electricity needed to run the air-source heat pumps, with the heat produced then distributed throughout the facility by the regulating fans.

The only electricity drawn from the main grid for heating the building is used to operate the fans, making the entire heating system at James Cond run mostly on renewable energy.

Light

The original Crittal windows were adapted to accommodate K Glass units and reduce waste, retaining the original aesthetic but with much-improved warmth retention.
The building’s design focuses on maximising natural daylight. The sawtooth roof ensures that large open-plan spaces, such as the construction skills activity areas, benefit from ample natural light.

The automated lighting controls were included to optimise lighting use, based on the amount of natural daylight available. This design reduces reliance on artificial lighting during daylight hours.

These systems combine with the sawtooth roof to ensure that the building remains energy-efficient year-round, whilst also offering students real-world examples of sustainable construction.

Energy Smart

Energy monitoring installed at the main entrances to the building directly links to the building management system to allow any facility user to observe the energy usage of the building at that point.

QuadCore insulation was added to the entire roof and was further enhanced with the installation of photovoltaic panels that generated renewable energy, helping to offset the building’s energy consumption.

A lithium battery storage system is also added to store excess energy generated during the day, ensuring that it could be used during periods of low energy demand.

Timber Restoration and Replacement

One of the most pressing issues was addressing the water ingress that had compromised parts of the building’s original timber. The timber in many areas was found to be saturated and soft but not yet decayed. However, in some places, mould growth had already begun, which could’ve led to timber decay if left untreated.

To mitigate this, all sources of water ingress were promptly addressed, halting further saturation, and in areas where the timber had begun to decay, strategic repairs and replacements were carried out.

For structural repairs or timber replacement, softwood timbers were treated with Tanalith E preservative, using vacuum or pressure treatment methods to ensure long-lasting protection. Any timber that needed to be replaced was treated with fungicide before being reinstalled, with careful attention to isolating new timbers from potential water penetration points by incorporating air gaps or impervious membranes.

Another critical restoration challenge was preserving the building’s original timber roof trusses, which were an essential element of its 1920s Art Deco architecture. The restoration team faced the delicate task of preserving these heritage features while ensuring they met modern structural and safety standards.

Quantifiable Benefits

The sustainable technologies incorporated into the James Cond building have provided measurable environmental benefits. For instance, the installation of photovoltaic panels and the use of energy-efficient systems have resulted in the avoidance of 9,992 kg of CO2 emissions since the building’s renovation.

Additionally, the solar panels generated 16MWh+ of energy in 2024, significantly reducing the building’s reliance on the grid and contributing to its overall carbon-neutral goals.

Circular Economy and Resource Use

The renovation project embraced the principles of the circular economy, particularly through the careful restoration and reuse of materials. A key focus was the restoration of roof truss and the original 1920’s steel-framed Crittal windows, integral to the building’s heritage.

Although the windows were aesthetically pleasing, the efficiency of the glazing was extremely poor. During the design stage consideration was given to replacing the windows with a new system to provide better thermal insulation and UV filtration properties. The project team worked with their supply chain to develop an adaptation to the existing Crittal windows allowing accommodation of a bespoke double-glazed unit within the existing frame detail. This would ensure recycling of the original elements of the build and maintain the look and feel of the external facades but with modern energy-saving features.

The restoration process began with a comprehensive assessment and documentation of the windows’ condition. Each window was carefully removed from its frame to prevent further damage and thoroughly inspected for any hidden decay or deterioration. Damaged components, including rotted wood and broken glass, were carefully repaired. Design improvements were incorporated to protect the windows from future issues and included the addition of a Powder Damp Course to prevent moisture ingress.

Once restored, the windows underwent sandblasting to remove old paint and contaminants. Protective coatings were applied to extend their life, and the original ironmongery was refurbished. The windows were then refitted into their original apertures, with new glazing and weatherproof seals. This meticulous restoration process not only preserved the building’s historical character but also enhanced its overall energy efficiency, ensuring the windows would remain functional and efficient for years to come.

By reusing the original windows, the renovation minimised the need for new materials and significantly reduced the environmental footprint of the project. This approach aligned with sustainability goals, demonstrating how historic buildings can retain their charm while integrating modern, energy-efficient features.

Additionally, between November 2022 and October 2023, the project achieved a significant milestone – 100% of waste was diverted from landfill. This “zero to landfill” statement highlights the team’s commitment to resource efficiency and reducing environmental impact during the construction process.

Building Services as a Teaching Tool

Visible and accessible building services allow students to engage with and understand the systems that make the building function optimally. By showcasing the latest technologies in smart building systems and energy-smart engineering, the building ensures students are well-prepared to enter the construction industry with a strong understanding of modern, sustainable practices.

The design also extended to the building’s use of space. To maintain the original features and floor plan, the team had to work together to innovate solutions that would meet sustainability aspirations while still effectively serving the building’s needs.

The open-plan layout accommodates a variety of construction skills activity areas, which combine theoretical learning with practical, hands-on experience. By designing these spaces to benefit from natural light and incorporating visible equipment, the building allows instructors to demonstrate the real-world application of sustainable construction techniques, further enhancing the learning experience.

Stakeholder Engagement and Impact

The success of the James Cond building renovation was further enhanced by collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Jewellery Quarter Conservation Area Team, Birmingham City Council, and English Heritage. Their input helped ensure that the building’s structural integrity was maintained while accommodating the sustainability goals of the project.

Alongside the University College Birmingham estates team, the project team included the University of Birmingham, Lucas Architects, CPW, Ramboll, MGAC, Steane, and GMI, whose efforts led to the successful transformation of the James Cond building into a model of sustainable construction.

Conclusion

Close collaboration between all stakeholders, with frequent consultations between the client, project partners, and end-users to ensure that the brief was met. A phased handover strategy was identified as a key lesson, ensuring minimal disruption to staff and students while maintaining progress.

The integration of both traditional construction methods and modern technologies also provided valuable learning opportunities for students, allowing them to experience both historical restoration and cutting-edge construction techniques.

Ultimately, the project revived the iconic art deco building, preserving its heritage while achieving a highly sustainable outcome. This effort was seen as a significant achievement, demonstrating the power of collaboration and innovation in overcoming complex challenges.

ENDS