From the outset the scheme has been designed as an exemplar sustainable building which will demonstrate the University’s Ecoversity commitment. At the heart of the scheme is the ambition to create a highly sustainable low energy building that will incorporate inventive design, innovative materials with low embodied energy, sustainable technologies and ecological enhancements. The general organisation of the building is around a primary circulation and service core, an additional external stair is included for escape only. Flexible Visitor/teaching facilities are located on the entrance floors (ground and lower ground). Private office spaces and business start up (incubator) units are located on the upper floors. Cycle storage, showers and lockers are located on the lower ground floor. Part of the brief was to use the building as an educational tool through the expression of materials, systems, technologies and structure. The South facing elevation is designed with a twin skin glass wall with a full height open space between each skin to harness heat gains for the winter. Solar flues are a feature of the southern facade to enhance the natural ventilation/ cooling. The flues create an enhanced stack effect which draws air from each of the open plan floors creating a natural flow of air to ventilate and cool the rooms. The building is to be constructed from thermally ‘heavy weight’ materials to create high levels of thermal mass that will help to moderate temperature fluctuations internally. The building seeks to be the focal point in embedding sustainable living and learning within all University activities in unison with the Ecoversity vision. The building will showcase sustainable development and construction at its best and expand the University's relationship with the wider community. The SEC will be used for research and knowledge transfer activities and as an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) 'learner' centre.  It will provide facilities for ESD events (which work mainly with primary school children) and learning opportunities through the building's function and the sustainable construction that are integral to the design.