Construction is underway at Askham Bryan College, the Agricultural and Land Management College based in York. The first phase of this £34m project included the construction of the Animal Management Centre and adjoining Wildlife and Conservation Area. The centre will also include lecture theatres and a replica veterinary practice.

The project has been divided into three main phases which will also include new residential facilities for staff and students, improvements to the college farm and a new equine facility that will be double the size of the existing structure. The residential accommodation will enable numbers to increase from 300 to 600 students living on site.

The College has been designed sustainably and incorporates various energy efficient systems including GDL Air Systems’ solar powered Intelivent Solarstore Units. The bespoke colourful circular designed Turrets were manufactured to meet the aesthetic design requirements of the Architects.


GDL Air Systems’ Intelivent Solarstore Units harvest solar energy provided from the photovoltaic cells located on top of our Penthouse Turrets. The power generated from the cells allow 24 hour supply or extract ventilation, this is a particularly effective method of increasing the ventilation rate by 75% during the summer months or when the room occupancy has reached capacity.

This system also improves the effectiveness of night-time cooling or night purge. In order to sustain the correct air temperature and velocity, CO² and temperature sensors maintain a controlled ventilation rate significantly contributing to energy conservation. This method of ventilation is particularly effective in open spaces with a high occupancy including school class rooms, university lecture theatres, gymnasiums, sports halls, supermarkets and warehouses.