PROJECT
SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY, BELFAST
PHOTOS: Gareth Andrews Photography
ECOLOGICAL AND NET ZERO EXCELLENCE ACHIEVED
FOH’S HANDOVER OF QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY’S MANAGEMENT SCHOOL SHOWCASES SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, EXQUISITE CRAFTSMANSHIP AND A COMMITMENT TO ECOLOGICAL PRESERVATION…
P rincipal contractor Felix O’Hare (FOH) has completed the extension and renovation of Queen’s University’s Management School at Riddel Hall, Belfast. The extension to the Riddel Hall Management School included the creation of a new, purpose-built teaching facility housing state-of-the-art lecture theatres, seminar rooms, computer labs, office spaces, cafés and social green spaces. The interior boasts high-quality finishes, including board-marked concrete, oak panelling and terrazzo tile detailing, while the exterior works include an extensive sedum green roof, underground parking area, access roads and landscaping. The refurbishment of the existing Management School on the site, split across three
existing buildings – one of which is Grade 2 listed – involved extensive room reconfiguring and redecorating. This complex project presented a logistical challenge, owing to the tight programme and constrained urban site location and primarily due to works taking place within a live university setting. The FOH team skilfully overcame these challenges through meticulous pre-planning and delivered this world-class educational facility. Peter Erwin, acting Director of Queen’s Estates commented, “The development of this project by the university is another example of the investment we are making in the city of Belfast, and this contributes to the economy, especially to the local construction sector. Sustainability was
a key factor in the building’s design and construction and will assist in our journey towards reaching the carbon emission targets within our recently approved Net Zero Plan.” The building is Net Zero-ready and future proofed for generations to come. The project assessed the carbon impact during design and construction to align with the university’s climate goals. Energy emissions were reduced through a renewable system: 40 geothermal boreholes (128m deep), PV panels on new and existing roofs and six solar hot water panels. This showcases the carbon-saving benefits of GeoExchange and highlights the capabilities of sustainable energy delivery in Northern Ireland. FOH managed on-site emissions
“This project showcased FOH’s ability to manage a high-end specification build with an extremely high attention to detail.”
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