Client: City Campus, University of Wales, Newport
Type of works: Basic, Mini Canal, Mini Dynamic Canal & Mini Freestanding

University of Wales, Newport, has recently seen a £35 million new build project aimed at bringing the community-based campus back to the centre of one of Wales’ largest cities. The new City Campus runs alongside the River Usk and will hold 2,500 students and 200 staff members from the business, art, media and design departments.

Designed by the renowned architect firm, BDP, the building, which is part of the Regeneration Newport project, is intentionally located in a developing area of the city centre which previously featured derelict buildings and unused car parks.

Mechanical and electrical consultants, from AECOM, worked with the university to find the ideal heating system for the new building. This included a selection of Jaga products, including the wall-mounted Basic radiators, which were fitted throughout the building along the corridor walls.

The building is visually divided into two – with one half, the north, painted blue and the south painted red, with both sides including matching furniture. The idea behind this interior design is to simplify way-finding, making it as straightforward as possible for students, staff and visitors to navigate their way. The colour theme continues throughout the corridors, staircases and lecture theatres, and the use of Mini Freestanding and Basic radiators in flaming red and aloa blue reinforces the design.

Jaga provided more than 60 Mini Canal trench heating units, which run alongside the windows and walls located in the larger spaces, including the dining area, seminar rooms and library. Mini Dynamic Canal trenches were also supplied. These were fitted with Dynamic Boost Effect (DBE) technology, which provides a powerful output, with a fan unit attached to the heat exchanger helping to circulate air quietly around the room. For an instant temperature lift the DBE can provide a quick boost of heat.

Mini Freestanding units are fitted throughout, including under the computer desks as the compact and modest size allows them to sit directly in front of the windows without obscuring vision or ruining the aesthetic lines of the building. With all connections stored within the Mini Freestanding feet this keeps a tidy look and helps to maintain the building’s streamlined design concept.

The project, which lasted 91 weeks, was completed two weeks ahead of schedule and met the university’s budget. Stephen Godber, director of estates and facilities management at the university, said: “We wanted something that would fit with the entire design. The whole concept of the building was open plan and very transparent so we needed a heating system that was discreet and would blend in with the building. We are more than pleased with the Jaga solutions – they have met our brief perfectly. We needed something that would be efficient and easy to maintain, as well as environmentally beneficial.”