The Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone is delighted to welcome a new eco hotel to East Devon. voco Zeal Exeter Science Park has been designed to operate entirely on renewable and solar energy and contributes to our goals for clean growth.
The building has been designed to use as little energy as possible while operating, aiming for an Energy Use Intensity of less than 60 kWh/m² (EUI is a metric that measures a building’s energy efficiency by calculating the amount of energy consumed per m² annually).
It follows the Passivhaus standard for ultra-low energy buildings and includes energy-efficient systems such as heat recovery, adiabatic cooling and reversible heat pumps that balance heating and cooling loads. The building was constructed using materials chosen for their sustainable characteristics. For example, it used Ecocrete during construction, a low carbon concrete with up to 85% less CO2 than CEM1 (100% cement).
Triple glazing, airtight construction and fresh air ventilation enhance energy efficiency, meaning that the hotel uses a third of the energy of a traditional hotel.
The building runs on renewable energy completely and is the first building in the UK to use Solarlab vertical photovoltaic panels as a rainscreen cladding system. The hotel boasts a BREAAM rating of outstanding, scoring over 85% across a range of criteria including management, water, land use & ecology, waste, and energy.
The 142-room has contemporary features throughout. Guests staying at the hotel will have access to a mini gym, gardens, a meeting space and 12 EV charging points. The onsite restaurant and bar, ISCA, uses locally-sourced ingredients, working with regional farms and producers to offer fresh, responsible dining options. It’s the first branded net zero carbon hotel from global hotel company IHG Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Zeal Hotels and Valor Hospitality.