The 50,000 sq ft Institute for Global Health will be built at the University’s Old Road Campus to accommodate 400 staff and 330 researchers over three floors.

The £32m building project is designed by Associated Architects to achieve Passivhaus standards.

James York, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction, said the business would deploy a range of intelligent solutions to achieve this, from sourcing sustainable materials to using the latest technologies and techniques.

A central lightwell will provide good daylight within the building and can be used to collect ‘free’ heat from the sun

The top floor will house plant and some research accommodation with the remaining floors being used for offices, research and teaching space.