Magdalen College and Pembroke College, Oxford University: A roadmap to achiveing Net Zero Carbon

71 High Street, Magdalen College, Oxford

As conservation architects who specialise in historic buildings, our motto is very much that ‘The greenest building is the one that is already built.” At the core of our business is challenging the idea that traditional buildings are not obstacles to sustainability – they can be highly energy efficient with the right design.

Our experience has taught us that we need to take a pragmatic approach to understanding the energy performance of a building so we can recognise where there is capacity for improvement and the grounds for change. This is very much the case at the University of Oxford, namely Magdalen College and Pembroke College, where we're currently working with the University on sustainability upgrades. Both colleges are undertaking a masterplan which will set out the roadmap to achieving Net Zero operational carbon and Net Zero indirect carbon, as well as significantly increasing biodiversity across the College sites.
 
Magdalen College includes an array of heritage buildings of high architectural value but low-carbon efficiency. Decarbonising these buildings is a complex and multi-step project, but the investment will improve comfort and functionality, as well as the College’s aspirations for net zero.

Magdalen College commissioned a high-level report into decarbonising its buildings in April 2022. Carbon emissions estimated at around 2152 tonnes CO2 per year in 2022 were dominated by space heating, especially of pre-1900s buildings. Recognising the challenges of upgrading listed buildings, the report identified the potential to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 through a combination of heat-pump technology and building fabric upgrades. There is also a 5-year decarbonisation plan for College.

71 High Street, Magdalen College, Oxford Univeristy, prior to works starting on site.

One of the College’s projects, 71 High Street now functions as student accommodation and dates from c1772. The building has functioned as flats or student accommodation for a number of years, and the project is addressing energy efficiency by introducing sustainability upgrades. These include:

• Replacement of UPVC windows to rear of building
• Upgrading of building fabric throughout to reduce heat loss and enable replacement of heat source for building, including installation of air source heat pumps and a complete refit of all the M&E services to building.
• We have integrated as many sustainable materials as possible by looking at alternatives to plastic-wall cladding for hygienic areas and using a timber alternative. Sheep's wool therma fleece has also been used throughout the building to improve thermal values.
  
• Use of mineral paints which gives off zero-VOC.
• Replacement of concrete render with lime.

Works progressing on site

Lead detailing above window with riven lathes

Sheep's wool therma fleece is being used throughout the 71 High Street building to improve thermal values.

Our philosophy and approach is very much about understanding buildings in a holistic way, treating each one individually and this is very much the case for our work at Magdalen and Pembroke Colleges.

Stay tuned for more project progress as the project develops.