The Green, built at a cost of GBP40 million ($63 million) has been designed to render the feel of a community, village to the students.
The central hub building, called The Orchard, is the center of the village. The Orchard overlooks the biodiversity pond and the central area, and houses management offices, accommodation, laundrette and a cafe/retail area. The apartment and townhouse blocks have been built around the biodiversity pond. The pond, in addition to adding an appeal to the place, also conserves rain water and doubles as a passive coolant in hot season.
The village features several landscape gardens that offer plenty of space to students for socializing. The village also has built-in barbeque sets, grassed areas and external seating. The Townhouses have attached an garden accessible through the patio door, which gives students an opportunity to set up their own garden.
The university has used sustainable materials to build this student facility. The building has interactive display that compares each students consumption of water and energy with others. The building is highly insulated and air tight reducing the requirement for heating, thereby conserving energy. The mechanical heat recovery ventilation units of the building circulate fresh, filtered air within the building.
The building has aerated taps and showers that trim down the consumption of water. The buildings have solar panels that heat water. Additionally, the building uses rain water for flush operation. The building is illuminated by means of low energy, high-efficiency lighting.
