The Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone’s award-winning hotel, voco Zeal Exeter Science Park, has been awarded the BREEAM Outstanding rating at the final assessment stage, the highest possible classification under the leading sustainability assessment method for buildings. The accreditation cements voco Zeal Exeter Science Park as the first hotel in Western Europe to achieve BREEAM Outstanding. The 142-room hotel, which is IHG’s first branded net zero carbon hotel, has innovated in the sector in terms of ultra-low carbon construction, innovative design and operational efficiency.
Setting the standard for hotels across the globe, voco Zeal Exeter Science Park has been recognised with an array of industry awards, including Best New Construction/Commercial Project at the BREEAM Awards 2025, Green Building Project of the Year at the edie Net Zero Awards 2025, Green Tourism’s Gold Award, and Sustainable Project of the Year at the Insider South West Property Awards 2025.
Cllr Paul Arnott, Leader of East Devon District Council and Chair of Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone, said:
“The achievement of a BREEAM Outstanding rating by voco Zeal Exeter Science Park is an exceptional milestone, not just for the project itself but for the Exeter and East Devon Enterprise Zone as a whole. Being the first hotel of its kind in Western Europe to reach this standard demonstrates what can be achieved when innovation, ambition and sustainability are embedded from the outset.
“This project perfectly reflects the Enterprise Zone’s vision – supporting investment that drives clean growth, showcases world class environmental performance and helps position our district at the forefront of the UK’s net zero transition. voco Zeal sets a powerful benchmark for future development, proving that commercial success and environmental leadership can and must go hand in hand.”
Tim Wheeldon, founding director, Zeal Hotels, said: “Since the conception of the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park it has been our ambition to achieve the coveted BREEAM Outstanding rating.
“It is a testament to the hard work of our team and that at RED Construction Group, who have innovated across both construction and operations. Achieving a BREEAM Outstanding rating reflects our long-standing commitment to reducing carbon emissions and helping the hotel sector reach net zero by 2050. “By harnessing renewable energy, energy-efficient design and innovative technology, we have created a hotel that delivers both comfort and environmental responsibility. We look forward to sharing our learnings to help accelerate sustainability across the wider hospitality sector.”
Graham Sturge, CEO and founder, RED Construction Group, added: “Securing a BREEAM Outstanding rating following almost a year of operational efficiency is a milestone moment. Achieved through a committed and close-working team where RED were instrumental in the early design phase as well as providing continuous support over the last 12 months following the project delivery. voco Zeal Exeter Science Park is an exemplar for collaboration and a benchmark for all new build hotels, truly setting the standard for the industry.”
In conjunction with SCS (Sustainable Construction Services), the sustainability consultants, the team delivered 100% electric voco Zeal Exeter Science Park to the Passivhaus standard, delivering ultra-low energy performance through advanced building fabric, adiabatic cooling systems and heat-reversible heat pumps. The hotel was the first in the UK to use Solarlab vertical photovoltaic panels as a complete rainscreen cladding system.