The Daphne Steele Building is a flagship development for the University of Huddersfield, bringing together a range of health disciplines under one roof to support integrated learning, teaching and clinical training. The facility includes specialist teaching spaces, simulated healthcare environments and public-facing clinics, designed to reflect real-world healthcare settings while fostering collaboration and innovation.

The building has been designed to place health and wellbeing at its core, aligning closely with the University’s vision for a modern, inclusive and future-focused campus. This is reflected not only in the internal environment but also in the building’s role as a social and academic hub, supporting both students and the wider community.

Carbon.Climate.Certified was appointed as BREEAM Consultant to the University from brief stage, providing strategic advice to embed sustainability across the project. This included acting as BREEAM Accredited Professional during design, supporting the integration of BREEAM requirements into procurement, design development and specification. In parallel, we acted as BREEAM AP to BAM as the main contractor, ensuring continuity through delivery and supporting a coordinated approach to achieving targeted credits on site.

In addition to BREEAM, we fulfilled the role of client-side WELL Accredited Professional, guiding the project team in delivering a building that prioritises occupant health, comfort and wellbeing. This required close coordination between design, contractor and specialist consultants to align WELL strategies with BREEAM requirements, ensuring efficiencies and avoiding duplication while maintaining the integrity of both certifications.

A key challenge on the project was integrating the technical and operational requirements of a complex healthcare teaching facility with the stringent performance standards of both BREEAM and WELL. This included balancing energy and environmental performance with indoor environmental quality, user comfort and clinical functionality. Through early engagement and continuous coordination, the team was able to align these objectives, embedding both sustainability and wellbeing into the core of the design and construction process.

The project successfully achieved BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and WELL Platinum, demonstrating a holistic approach to sustainability that goes beyond environmental performance to prioritise human health and experience. The building delivers measurable improvements in energy efficiency, water use, materials selection and indoor environmental quality, while providing a high-quality environment that supports learning, wellbeing and long-term resilience.

At an institutional level, the Daphne Steele Building reinforces the University of Huddersfield’s commitment to sustainability and wellbeing, providing a replicable model for future higher education developments and setting a new standard for integrated BREEAM and WELL delivery in the sector.