The campus of the Russian International Olympic University (RIOU) is the first, and only, Olympic venue to receive recognition under the BREEAM environmental assessment methodology for its ‘as built' performance. The assessment considered the building's compliance with "green" standards at the post-construction stage and resulted in awarding RIOU a final Very Good rating (56,69%).
"Achieving the BREEAM certificate means that environmentally sustainable solutions and safe materials were used throughout the design and construction stages, and that the development complies with the current environmental impact standards. All these aspects are thoroughly assessed by independent BREEAM experts. Last August the University Plaza company, RIOU's developer, obtained a BREEAM interim certificate for the design phase. The final certificate confirmed RIOU's score of ‘Very Good' upon completion of the construction", said University Plaza CEO Ivan Moskvin-Tarkhanov.
BREEAM reviews confirmed that RIOU's campus incorporates advanced energy saving technologies. Rational use of water is facilitated by the separation of drinking and industrial water supply systems. Rainwater is harvested and used for the irrigation of lawns around the building. During the construction process, waste was collected separately, disposed of or partially recycled. Thus, for instance, mixed concrete remains were used to create new blocks that could go back into construction.
Ivan Moskvin-Tarkhanov added: "RIOU's campus is now put into operation. It is a 15-storey building, about 70 m high, which comprises classrooms, a research centre, a library, a public catering area, dedicated rooms for independent study and an underground parking lot. The campus can accommodate up to 500 students at any one time, and the number of annual graduates, including short-term courses, can come up to 2,000."
The BREEAM certificate (UK) is a world's leading design and assessment method for sustainable buildings. A number of Sochi Olympic venues are registered for BREEAM assessment, including Fisht (Sochi's main Olympic stadium), Bolshoy Ice Dome, hotels and transport infrastructure facilities. BREEAM certificates of compliance with international green standards have already been awarded to RIOU's campus (post-construction stage) and Rosa Khutor Hotel in the Mountain Olympic Village (design stage).
