The Research Institute of Alternative Materials (RIAM) stands as a pioneering dual-phase project situated on the urban fringe of the Meadows district. Dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in sustainable construction, RIAM serves as a multifaceted educational hub for Nottingham Trent University.
Spanning across its premises, RIAM houses an array of cutting-edge facilities meticulously designed to facilitate research, experimentation, and learning in the field of alternative materials. These include state-of-the-art workshops equipped with the latest tools and technologies, laboratories outfitted for material testing and analysis, lecture theatres tailored for immersive educational experiences, and breakout spaces crafted to foster collaboration and creativity.
Educational facilities, whether operational or temporarily unused, contribute to nearly half of the UK's total energy usage. In response to the commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, implementing efficiency measures could significantly reduce this impact. For instance, the adoption of solar power generation in schools has the potential to prevent the release of over half a million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The aim of this research is to maximise the potential of photovoltaic technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of the author's major studio project.
