Sustainable Construction Methods and Materials: A Case Study of Attenborough Nature Reserve Visitors

Many criteria had to be met to build the visitor center

Many criteria had to be met at Attenborough Nature Reserve in order to build such a structure as the existing Visitor Centre. The building has been constructed on a flood plain, in a conservation area, on a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and within a nature reserve on green belt land.

The principal funding for the project was initiated with a grant from the East Midlands Development Agency who had aspirations to have an exemplar eco-building in the region, to demonstrate good practice to other organisations.    

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the assignment, the student should be able to:

1.Independently research and evaluate sustainable construction methods and materials and their application within built environment projects.

2.Identify, analyse and critically appraise sustainable construction methods and materials methodologies in the context of sustainable architecture projects.

3.Critically evaluate key sustainability indicators / design methodologies and their importance in the selection and specification of sustainable construction methods and materials in delivering sustainable architecture.  

The Brief

You have been commissioned to evaluate the design, materials and methods of construction used in bringing the Attenborough Nature Reserve Visitors Centre to fruition.  The evaluation is to be carried out with reference to BREEAM Categories and is designed to provide a critique for potential future developments of a similar nature.

In conducting the evaluation consideration should be made of not only good sustainability practice but also of areas where improvements in the sustainability credentials of the building might have been further enhanced.

In suggesting areas for improvement, reference to other existing buildings, agreed with the tutor (either in the UK and/or overseas) should be sought and comparisons and recommendations made, with the aim of maximising the sustainability credentials of potential future developments, whether they be in a similar location to Attenborough or elsewhere.

The assignment submission will be in report format, approximately 4000 words in length, conforming to appropriate written assignment standards. Dividing the submission into sections by using sub-headings makes presentation and reading easier; and a robust conclusion (drawing on arguments presented in your writing) is a vital element. Reference sources can be freely drawn on but remember to cite the source(s) used and identify them properly in the References section.

The assignment should be handed in via electronic submission on or before the date of submission.  Late submission up to seven day will incur a capped grade at 50%. Beyond this the assignment will be deemed a fail.

All submitted assignments for this module will appear in an anonymous format to the Marking Tutor and internal moderator. As such you are requested not to identify yourself anywhere within your submitted assignment (e.g. by putting your name on the front cover sheet). This will maintain your anonymity to your Marking Tutor and Internal Moderator. The principle behind the usage of anonymous marking of assignments is to reassure students that all assignments are marked in an equitable and unbiased manner, thereby ensuring the maintenance of high academic quality standards within the marking of the assessments.

The grading scale applying to level 7 of the University’s Postgraduate Grading Scale will be used.

All grades given for assignment work are provisional until confirmed or otherwise by the next Module Assessment Board.

For  the student will have demonstrated a thorough understanding of sustainable construction methods and materials, and their potential impact. There will be many examples of research into commentaries on their effectiveness and the conclusions will have been strongly linked to research and convincingly drawn out, using references and citations. Presentation, including drawings, images and tables, will be to an impressive standard with all conventions observed.

For the student will have demonstrated a strong awareness of sustainable construction methods and materials, and their potential impact. There will be several examples of research into commentaries on their effectiveness, and the conclusions will be substantially linked to the research using references and citations. Presentation, including drawings, images and tables, will be to a commendable standard with the majority of the submission complying and clearly written.

For the student will have presented a competent appraisal of sustainable construction methods and materials, and their potential impact. There will be sufficient evidence of research into commentaries on their effectiveness, and conclusions will be drawn with relevant support.  Presentation, including drawings, images and tables, will be to a competent standard and demonstrate an attempt to satisfy conventions and references will be given and cited.