Erne Campus: Where Vision Meets Verification in Sustainable Design

Erne Campus Case Study: Where Vision Meets

Verification in Sustainable Design

Project Type
Certification

What if a college campus could do more than host students?

What if it could lead a movement? What if it could prove, not just claim, that sustainability and scale can live in harmony?

Erne Campus became the answer to that question. Completed in 2021, it became the first educational building in the world to achieve Passivhaus Premium certification and remains the largest of its kind. It also became the first project in the United Kingdom to secure both Passivhaus Premium and BREEAM Outstanding certifications. This was not just another new build. It was a demonstration of what is possible when rigorous design meets environmental ambition.

None of this happened by chance. From the drawing board to post-occupancy performance, every milestone was measured. Every result was verified.

A Campus That Redefined What Buildings Can Be

Built on the grounds of a former hospital, Erne Campus stretches across 8,200 m² in a striking four-storey crescent-shaped form. It accommodates 800 full-time students, 2,000 part-time students, and 120 staff.

When it opened in September 2021, it was not just another new academic year. It was the launch of a bold example of how sustainable buildings can function at scale and serve the public.

Recognition That Speaks for Itself

The impact of Erne Campus has been widely recognised. It was named one of only 26 UN Centres of Excellence for High-Performance Buildings. It won the RICS Public Sector Project of the Year in 2022. It also received the 2023 People’s Choice Award from the Passivhaus Trust, the only UK project chosen by both the public and professionals.

These awards are more than acknowledgements. They represent momentum. They reflect a growing awareness that high-performance buildings are not a niche concept. They are necessary and achievable.

Performance That Is Measured and Verified

Every number coming out of Erne Campus tells a story of precision and ambition backed by science.

Treated floor area: 7,167 m²
Airtightness: 0.30 to 0.36 ACH at 50 Pa
Heating demand: 6.82 kWh/m²·yr (also cited at 8.4 kWh/m²·yr)
Peak heat load: 8.75 to 9.14 W/m²
Primary energy demand: 52.8 kWh/m²·yr (target ≤ 120)
Primary energy renewable demand: 29.2 kWh/m²·yr (target ≤ 30)
Solar PV system: 520 kWp delivering 120 kWh/m²·yr through approx. 1,600 panels
Battery storage: 460 to 480 kWh

Compared to the previous campus, annual heating costs have dropped from approx. £49,000 to just £4,865. This equates to annual savings of £44,000 to £54,000. Over 25 years, that adds up to more than £2 million in operational savings.

Erne Campus proves that world-class performance is not just theoretical. It is attainable, and it pays for itself.

A Building Engineered for Excellence

The thermal envelope was designed without thermal bridges. Over 4.5 km of junctions were reviewed and maintained with ψ-values below 0.07 W/mK. U-values for floors, walls, and roofs fall between 0.11 and 0.15 W/m²K, while windows and doors perform at approx. 0.7 W/m²K.

The ventilation system is a high-performance mixed-mode strategy. It includes mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, earth-tempered air intakes, natural stack ventilation, and solar shading to prevent overheating. Every element has been performance-tested and verified.

Heating is delivered by a hybrid system. A bio-oil micro-CHP unit meets 80% of heating load and 100% of domestic hot water needs. An air-to-water heat pump supplies the remaining 20%.

Together, these systems offer not only low energy use but also high comfort and resilience.

Educational Impact and Legacy

Erne Campus is more than a sustainable building. It is an educational resource in its own right.

The on-site “site academy” trains students, contractors, and building professionals in Passivhaus construction techniques. The campus offers guided tours, workshops, and is preparing summer programmes focused on carbon literacy and building performance awareness.

As Barry McCarron of South West College explains, this project represents a shift in mindset. It equips the institution to lead in green skills, public-sector decarbonisation, and long-term climate impact.

The ripple effect is real. Since Erne Campus achieved its certifications, over £250 million worth of public and private Passive House projects have entered development in Northern Ireland.

A Model for Scalable Public Infrastructure

Erne Campus shows that large and complex buildings can exceed net-zero targets without sacrificing function or comfort. It also demonstrates that investing in energy performance brings tangible economic return.

The heating cost savings of over £44,000 per year, and the projected lifetime operational savings of more than £2 million, prove that upfront investment leads to long-term benefits.

Additionally, the built-in training opportunities help develop a skilled workforce prepared to meet the demands of a decarbonised economy. In a world racing to build greener infrastructure, this is an invaluable asset.

Mosart’s Role in Turning Vision into Reality

Mosart served as the lead certifier throughout the project. Their role included:

Verifying PHPP modelling inputs and design targets
Inspecting thermal envelope components, junctions, and insulation installations
Conducting airtightness tests before and after completion
Commissioning systems including heating, ventilation, and renewables
Confirming key thresholds for heating demand, airtightness, and renewable generation

This rigorous oversight ensured that Erne Campus not only targeted Passivhaus Premium status but earned it with independently verified performance at every stage.

A Future That Has Already Arrived

Erne Campus is more than a successful project. It is a beacon for what public buildings can and should be. It proves that high-performance, carbon-positive infrastructure is not only achievable today but can be measured and scaled.

For architects, developers, and policymakers, it offers clear and compelling evidence. With precision certification, collaborative design, and a bold sustainability vision, buildings of this calibre are not beyond reach. They are ready to be built.

If your next project aspires to set a new benchmark in decarbonisation and performance, Mosart is ready to support that journey through trusted certification and performance verification.