Charging Around Uni Allows Charging Around Uni

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24 January 2019 | Updated 25 January 2019

A walkway at the University of Birmingham will take the movement of students hurrying along it and convert it to energy so they can charge their phones at benches along the path.

Willmott Dixon has transformed 12 acres of parkland at the Edgbaston campus to provide high-tech recreational space that will benefit students, staff and the local community. 

Dubbed the Green Heart, the reclaimed space includes the Pavegen walkway which off-grid electricity for USB charging point benches. In a pointer to the future, the Green Heart also has comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage and digital information totems.

Flower power

Alongside the new technology is recreational space featuring native flowers and wild plants, 160 new trees and nesting sites, plus spaces for performances and events, markets, a café and bar. There are also dedicated areas for art and sculptures.

The project has also restored historic walkways as envisaged in the University’s original design from the early 1900s. It also greatly enhances step-free access across the campus while paving has been specifically designed with tapping points for white stick users.

The Green Heart was designed by Churchman Landscape Architects, with support from Associated Architects. The lighting was designed by Speers and Major, with other key roles in the development undertaken by Couch Perry Wilkes, Arup and Currie and Brown.

Picture: A team from Willmott Dixon join colleagues from the University of Birmingham to open the new high-tech green space.

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 24 January 2019

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