Sustainability Report

Embodied carbon and construction

• The Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities contributes to the University of Oxford’s ambitions for net zero carbon emissions and a net biodiversity gain by 2035. From the outset, material selection, construction methods, and sourcing strategies were used to limit embodied carbon while supporting durability over the building’s long life.
• To meet the requirements of Passivhaus certification, Hopkins Architects worked with Laing O’Rourke’s supply chain to develop a prefabricated external envelope. This approach enabled high levels of quality control and low installation tolerances. Materials were selected for longevity and performance as well as appearance, reducing the building’s relative embodied carbon over time. Envelope elements include prefabricated stone and brick-faced precast concrete cladding panels, handset stone with steel framing system backing, large-format Passivhaus-certified triple glazing, and a timber-and-glass dome.
• Sustainability considerations also informed the construction process. The site operated as an all-electrical site, with construction vehicles powered by hydrogenated vegetable oil. The stone used on the north and south facades was sourced locally in Rutland, while the brick for the east and west facades was hand-made in York. Structural steel was supplied from Doncaster and Sheffield, and seating for the performance venues was manufactured in Bourton-on-the-Water. Ninety-seven percent of the companies involved in construction were based in Britain.
• The landscape strategy also contributes to long-term environmental performance. Trees are used to structure and frame external spaces, with native species supporting biodiversity targets and selected non-native species reflecting the need for long-term climate resilience. In the northern garden, individual trees and species reference nearby landscapes such as Port Meadow and the University Parks. Closer to the building, bosques of trees form a series of external rooms and help to reduce the perceived massing. Shrub planting responds to requirements for biodiversity, habitat creation, and resilience.

Operational energy and emissions

• The building is highly energy efficient and has achieved Passivhaus certification. On completion, it became the largest Passivhaus scheme in England and the world’s first Passivhaus concert hall. It meets the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard limit for space heating demand and operational carbon emissions.
• The completed building achieved an airtightness test result of 0.66m3/m2/h @50Pa (0.16ach), with an average external envelope U-value of 0.12W/m2K. These performance levels support low operational energy demand across a complex mix of academic, public, and performance spaces.
• A key operational challenge was managing heat loss from ventilation while maintaining high indoor air quality under varying occupancy conditions. Individual rooms receive variable volumes of fresh, filtered air, controlled in response to carbon dioxide levels and temperature. Air is distributed via a coordinated network of ceiling-mounted ducts connected to twenty-two air handling units located in the basement and at roof level. All air handling units incorporate thermal wheel heat recovery.
• The building operates on a fully electric energy strategy, using heat pumps rather than boilers, with on-site solar power generation provided at roof level. Together, these systems support low operational emissions while accommodating the differing environmental requirements of teaching, research, and performance spaces.