Key numbers
Key numbers
Overview
Equans, in partnership with investor Equitix, has collaborated with the University of Birmingham to transform Pritchatts Park Student Village into a state‑of‑the‑art, low‑carbon campus.
The £200 million development delivers the university’s first ever low‑carbon student accommodation, a revitalised social hub, and a modern multi‑storey car park.
The project supports the university’s ambition to create high‑quality, sustainable living environments for staff and students, while expanding its provision of accessible housing and enhancing community spaces across the campus.
Our work
As part of the extensive redevelopment, Equans delivered a wide range of construction, refurbishment, and long‑term services including:
New and refurbished accommodation
- Construction of 496 new energy‑efficient student homes, designed as townhouses to complement existing buildings in the the leafy suburb of Birmingham
- Refurbishment of 734 existing rooms, modernising and improving the student living experience.
- Creation of 13 fully accessible bedrooms, doubling the university’s accessible housing provision.
Campus enhancements
- Transformation of Pritchatts House reception and social hub, with the hub transformed into a series of accessible and flexible spaces for student activities
- Delivery of a 482‑space multi‑storey car park, built using modular construction methods to reduce disruption and improve construction efficiency.
Sustainability measures
- The campus is powered and entirely by electricity, with air source heat pumps providing low‑carbon heating for the refurbished Pritchatts House – drawing energy from 100% renewable sourcers.
- Installation of solar PV panels across the new townhouses and Pritchatts House, generating over 100,000 kWh (102,057 kWh) of renewable energy across the site annually.
- New multi-storey car park equipped with 24 EV charging points, with infrastructure in place for an additional 72.
Long‑term partnership
Equans now manages a 50‑year hard and soft facilities management and lifecycle works contract across Pritchatts Park, providing ongoing repairs, security, and cleaning services to support the campus and its residents.
Equans, Equitix and the University of Birmingham are all equity stakeholders in Pritchatts Park, reinforcing a long‑term commitment to the site’s success.
Impact
The redevelopment has significantly elevated the quality, sustainability, and inclusivity of student accommodation at the University of Birmingham. Pritchatts Park now houses 1,200 students and achieved an remarkable 99.7% occupancy rate in its first year, highlighting its appeal and reinforcing the University of Birmingham's status as a leading academic institution.
The project has created a welcoming, future‑focused living environment that supports wellbeing, community building, and modern student lifestyles. Sustainable technologies have reduced the campus’s environmental footprint while supporting the university’s net‑zero ambitions.
Outcomes
- £200 million development in modern, low‑carbon student facilities
- 496 new low‑carbon student homes
- 734 refurbished rooms across the village
- 13 new fully accessible bedrooms, doubling accessible capacity
- 482‑space multi‑storey car park with modular construction
- 24 EV charging points
- Over 100,000 kWh of solar energy generated annually
- 50‑year FM and lifecycle contract delivered by Equans
- 99.7% first‑year occupancy rate
- Strengthened partnership between Equans, Equitix and the University of Birmingham
Frequently asked questions
Low‑carbon solutions for universities include renewable energy systems, energy‑efficient building design, electrified heating, and smart technologies that reduce consumption. Together, these measures help institutions cut emissions, lower operating costs, and move closer to sustainability and net‑zero commitments.
Technologies like solar PV, heat pumps, improved insulation, efficient lighting, and modern building controls help organisations reduce energy demand, limit carbon output, and create more comfortable and resilient environments, while also delivering long‑term financial savings.
By integrating low‑carbon systems, organisations can expect measurable reductions in emissions year‑on‑year, improved energy performance, lower lifecycle costs, and more futureproof estates that are better aligned with climate targets and regulatory expectations.
Our expertise
Equans supports businesses, communities and the public sector by mobilising its expertise to provide low-carbon energy solutions, offer cutting-edge technical and FM services and transformative regeneration across the UK & Ireland.
