Sarah Turvill Multifaith Centre officially opened at the University of Exeter

The University of Exeter has held a special ceremony to mark the official opening of the new Sarah Turvill Multifaith Centre, located on the Streatham Campus.

Guests from numerous faith organisations across the city gathered to participate in the ceremony, held today (March 13th 2025), to celebrate the new space and the opportunity it presents for our University community.

This exciting new Centre is designed to promote inclusion and respect for diverse faiths and beliefs, while fostering a sense of community, encouraging connections and inter-faith collaborations and is a space for quiet reflection, prayer and contemplation for all.

It was officially opened by Professor Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor at the University of Exeter, and former chair of University Council and Exeter alumna, Sarah Turvill, who generously provided transformational philanthropic support and played a key role in advocating for the new building.

Professor Lisa Roberts, said: “I am delighted to officially open the new Sarah Turvill Multifaith Centre today, which places diversity and inclusion at the very centre of life at our University. The building was created in collaboration with our students, colleagues and local faith community and will enhance our provision for religious observance on campus.

“The University of Exeter is a global community, and we celebrate the many diverse backgrounds and world views of our students and colleagues. This fantastic new facility will support the hard work of our Multifaith Chaplaincy team, who care for the entire University community and create a sense of belonging in which everyone is valued.

“We are thrilled to name the new centre after Sarah Turvill. Sarah has contributed so much to our University over a long period of time, and it is an honour to be able to recognise her friendship and generosity in this way.”

The building was named in honour of Exeter alumna of the University’s School of Law and former chair of the University Council, Sarah Turvill, who was involved in the plans for the Multifaith Centre, from the initial design stages through to its completion.

Sarah has contributed significantly to initiatives at the University such as establishing a PhD scholarship programme for Black British students, social mobility and the Living Systems Institute. Sarah said: “I am thrilled that this important project has come to fruition. It demonstrates the University’s commitment to its whole community, to diversity and inclusion and to multiculturalism.”

The building houses a 50 person Muslim prayer space alongside dedicated washing facilities which provide much needed room for prayer preparation: an important cleansing step for many faiths.

There is also a new multifaith room for faith activities, events and celebrations and space for quiet reflection. Communal meeting spaces and facilities afford the Multifaith Chaplaincy team and students the opportunity for inclusive collaboration, which is a core purpose of the building.

Additionally, the building also houses a changing places facility, which is designed to enable dignity and inclusion for all.

The planting around the facility has all been carefully chosen for both their scent and for their symbolism in faith traditions. This includes olive trees for peace, hyssop for purification and cleansing, and irises which symbolise hope and faith.

Willmott Dixon constructed the new facility on Streatham Campus. Rob Woolcock, Director at Willmott Dixon, said: “Working in collaboration once again with the University of Exeter, we’re very proud to see the completion of the Sarah Turvill Multifaith Centre. The innovative techniques that have resulted in achieving the Passivhaus standard are proof that it keeps the environment and cultural purpose at the heart of design and delivery”.

Sustainability and reducing carbon emissions have been fundamental both to the design and the construction of the building, with Passivhaus principles in effect.

The clay porotherm blocks that make up the building use around 95% less water than traditional construction materials, are lighter than concrete and therefore less carbon intensive for transport and materially pose no threat to the environment.

The blocks also reduce heat loss to increase performance and efficiency and can even be recycled. Air source heat pumps reduce carbon emissions from the building even further and a series of roof mounted PV panels take advantage of the building’s sunny location.

The new space supports the University’s Strategy 2030 ambition to ensure a thriving community that celebrates diversity and inclusion and supports the health and wellbeing of everybody at the University.

For more information about the new Sarah Turvill Multifaith Centre, visit: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/about/vision/capitalstrategy/featuredprojects/multifaithcentre/