The Digital Laboratory has won two Coventry City Council design awards: an award for Sustainable Design and The Peoples Choice for New Buildings.

The Sustainable Design award is given in recognition of the building’s environmentally sound status. The Laboratory has many features that make it a green building, including, among others, a connection to the University’s combined heat and power plant, the use of natural ventilation and automatic window opening, and the use of materials in its construction that do not adversely affect the environment.

The People’s Choice award is given based on an online vote by local people. The digital laboratory received more votes from the residents of the local area than the other nominated buildings.

The University’s International Digital Laboratory has been nominated for the Coventry Design Awards 2009. Members of the public can vote online for the building that they think most deserves the award. Visit the Design Awards website to find out more and place your vote for the Digital Laboratory.

The Coventry Design Awards are held every two years to recognise design excellence in the city. The awards are run by Coventry City Council and give local people the opportunity to nominate examples of good design that they think make a significant contribution to the image and quality of the city.

Voting will close after Sunday 1 November. Fill out the online voting form to show your support for the Digital Laboratory.

As part of the University’s overarching transport strategy and green travel plan, a series of bus open sessions have been organised on campus with local bus operators Travel Coventry and Stagecoach.

The sessions are designed to raise awareness of the investment and improvements in local bus services and provide an opportunity for staff and students to obtain information about local bus routes, services, timetables and the different fares and methods of payment that are available to them, offering a cost-effective and convenient alternative to using the car.

The open sessions, which are free to all staff and students and do not require advanced booking will be held each day from 28 September to 1 October at the following venues and times:

• Monday 28 September, 11.00am – 2.00pm - Atrium, University House
• Tuesday 29 September, 11.00am – 2.00pm - Reception, Medical School Building, Gibbet Hill Road
• Wednesday 30 September, 11.00am – 2.00pm - Atrium, University House
• Thursday 1 October, 11.00am – 2.00pm - Reception, Medical School Building, Gibbet Hill Road

You can come along to any session between 11.00am and 2.00pm and find out more.

Travel Coventry and Stagecoach will be also be on campus at Rootes Hall Social Building and the Fresher’s Exhibition Hall from Thursday 1 October to Friday 9 October to give out information on all local bus services and provide ticket sales for all students. This will include providing information on National Express coach services and the Megabus inter-city service operated by Stagecoach.

For details please contact: Graham Hine, Transport Manager, Estates Office by email: graham.hine@warwick.ac.uk or call ext: 50532.