College celebrates the launch of its low-carbon learning facility

Bridgend College has launched a renovated 3-bedroomed domestic property on its Pencoed Campus. The newly refurbished space, named Cartref Syniadau (‘Home of Ideas’), has been converted into a low-carbon demonstration house that has been able to reduce its carbon emissions by 90% by using renewable energy sources.

The ambitious project has been run in conjunction with the Low Carbon Built Environment (LCBE) team at the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University, in order to benefit from their expertise in retrofitting houses. Having received funding from the Welsh Government, the refit commenced in 2022.

The project had two central aims: to be a sustainable, energy-efficient property and to have adaptations fitted to support our Independent Living Skills students. The property will be used as a teaching facility, allowing students from various course areas to see sustainability brought to life in a practical home setting. Furthermore, the house will also be utilised by our students with additional learning needs, allowing them to develop important independence skills, such as cooking.

The launch event, held at Pencoed Campus, was attended by staff from the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University, as well as representatives from WJEC, Bridgend County Borough Council, other local businesses and College Governors. Visitors learnt more about the sustainable features of the house and how learners will benefit from an immersive, real-life environment designed to give them valuable life and living skills aligned with the sustainable goals of the 21st century.

The property boasts numerous features that make it truly energy-efficient, the main feature being that it runs solely on electric power. The energy is generated from solar panels on the roof, which are converted by inverters before being stored in two batteries, located within the property itself. This energy is then redistributed throughout the property as needed. All windows have been refitted with double-glazed high-performance windows with larger window sills. The walls are thicker due to being well-insulated, and all appliances have low energy requirements.

Each room is equipped with air vents for ventilation, which helps reduce the risk of damp and condensation. The ventilation system then pushes cleaner air back into the living spaces. The property is also fitted with an air source heat pump that draws heat from the air outside and utilises it to heat the property.

“We are extremely excited to have a facility like Cartref Syniadau, one that can both engage learners and upskill the local workforce, so that we can contribute even more to the green economy in Wales.”

Matthew Rees, Vice Principal

Professor Joanne Patterson, who works within the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University, affirms the power of collective effort in regards to climate action. Whilst a property retrofit costs around £60,000 to make it more environmentally friendly, financial grants are available to the public and for social housing to make properties more green.

“With 29 million homes in the UK, we really need to be focussing on making our existing homes low carbon. Our construction sector really needs to develop technical and other skills like communication to enable this to happen. Having Cartref Syniadau available to Further Education students on a day-to-day basis for them to see first-hand the technologies that need to be installed will really help progress toward net zero.”

Professor Joanne Patterson, Professorial Research Fellow at the Welsh School of Architecture

Bridgend College is committed to making sustainable development, in all areas, a central organising principle. In 2018, we were the first Welsh college to become a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) Accord, committing to mandatory reporting at an international level. Our significant impacts include curriculum delivery, consumption of electricity and gas, use of transport, waste to landfill, water use, goods and services procured, infrastructure, land use and biodiversity.