As part our bicentenary celebrations, the remodelled Old Quad section on campus has reopened on Friday, 21 June 2024. The enhancement maintains the historic fabric of the space and showcases our dedication to sustainability, whilst continuing to act as an area to accommodate a wide range of events and activities.

The old quad had operated as a carpark for over 70 years and the repurposing of the area will see it become a calm space that embraces the forward-looking nature of the University. We’ve prioritised using sustainable materials, ensuring the space complements the surrounding historic buildings, is accessible and fosters biodiversity.

Acting as a ‘green heart’ of the university, hard and soft landscaping will revitalise the section. Existing trees, such as the mature oak, were preserved in the design, while the introduction of an elliptical central lawn, 16 new trees, and 4,500 new plants will offer a biodiversity net gain of over 70%. This incorporates spring, summer, and autumn flowering periods, and adds to the ecological benefits by attracting pollinators through the creation of habitat structure and protection.

Log piles and shallow pools will provide habitats and a water source for birds and insects, alongside bat and birdboxes within the space. Alongside this, seats and benches provide focused viewpoints for the surrounding buildings, as well as space for quiet reflection. The lighting infrastructure has also been upgraded to ensure clear visibility for safety and security.

And don’t worry – we’ve still kept many of your favourite existing features and important elements of our history, such as the erratic boulder and mature trees. The 20-tonne glacial boulder will be prominently displayed, mounted on a plinth, and the cenotaph, The iconic Boston Ivy, and heritage plinths will also be retained. The existing sandstone paving was also lifted, cut, and re-laid within the new space.

Sustainability on campus

The project, which has been developed and delivered by our Directorate of Estates and Facilities, is just one part of our university’s plan to increase sustainability and biodiversity on campus. Our air travel has decreased by almost 50%, saving over 8,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. We have divested from all fossil fuel companies and reduced the carbon intensity of other investments by 55%.

We recently announced an agreement to purchase our electricity from a 104,000-panel solar farm, which will provide up to 65% of our electricity and save 12,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year.

We are also investing £160m into the efficiency of our buildings. The zero-carbon works in our Booth Street East and Dalton Ellis buildings have been completed and will save an estimated 332 tonnes of carbon annually.