The Orchard, a new eco-friendly hotel, has opened on the UK’s University of Nottingham’s main campus. Built to the highest environmental standards, the Orchard hotel minimizes carbon emissions with its green roof, energy-efficient lighting, heating and ventilation systems, and photovoltaic panels.
The $27 million hotel complex complements the nearby De Vere Venues East Midlands Conference Centre and includes a roof garden, gym, and brasserie. Designed by London-based RHWL Architects, the Orchard includes 202 bedrooms, including 55 executive suites and five accessible bedrooms, all inspired by the university’s parkland setting. Timber and regional stone make up the base materials, while sweeping lines and plant life decorate the interior.
A brasserie-style restaurant, terrace, and four meeting rooms are among the available facilities. The reception and lobby, lit with natural light, boasts a glass atrium, floor-to-ceiling windows, and bespoke furniture. The executive lounge leads to an exclusive rooftop garden.
“The university is proud to open the Orchard as a unique and environmentally-driven addition to our conferencing facilities,” says professor Karen Cox, pro-vice chancellor for environment and infrastructure. “It is a beautifully designed complex, funded entirely by the university, and will be available for use by conference delegates, university visitors, local businesses, and the general public.”
Aiming for an Excellent rating under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), the hotel hopes to be recognized as a low-impact building with top environmental practices. The Orchard is the newest add in a series of eco-friendly buildings built on the campuses of the University of Nottingham.
