Artist's view of the new Civil Engineering Building (Image courtesy of Grimshaw Architects)
Project Brief: |
The initial purpose of this project was to create a world-class building in West Cambridge, to house the UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure & Cities (UKCRIC), the National Research Facility for Infrastructure Sensing and the Department of Civil Engineering’s Geotechnical and Structures research activities. The relocation of Civil Engineering activity to West Cambridge is an important first step in the Department’s 'Move West' strategy, and the building has been included in the 'Inset' Masterplan developed by Grimshaw Architects, and incorporated into the University’s Masterplan for the West Cambridge site. |
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Site address: | Clerk Maxwell Rd, CB3 0HE Cambridge | |
Size: | 4000 sqm | |
Construction Cost: | £ 18M | |
Project Manager: | Brian Williams | |
Contractor: | SDC Builders Ltd | |
Architect: | Grimshaw Architects | |
Status: | Work started 25/09/2017 Work completed 10/05/2019 |
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More information: | Project website | |
Environmental Performance: | Click here for information |
Environmental Performance information
Fabric performance: |
Wall insulation 0.26 W/(m2K) |
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Lifecycle cost: | Estimated cost of maintenance, facilities management and utilities over 60 years: £128/m2/yr (2016 prices) | |
Energy consumption: |
Electricity consumption prediction (inclusive of all heat demand): 185kWh/m2/yr +/- 50% |
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Heating / cooling plant: |
No natural gas connection. Heat derived entirely from ground sourced heat pumps (2 no. rated at 280kW cooling and 240kW heating). Ground sensors installed to assist research into GSHP performance. |
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Ventilation: |
Offices are naturally ventilated with automated dampers and stack vent chimneys to facilitate night cooling of exposed concrete thermal mass. |
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Structure: |
Use of an energy/cost metric to optimise balance between embodied energy and operational energy impacts. This drove selection of steel frame on raft foundation, pre-cast hollow core planks for intermediate floors and roof, and use of timber curtain walling mullions. |
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Environmental certifications: |
BREEAM Interim Certification: Excellent (73.9%) |
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Other environmental sustainability measures: | Biodiverse planted roof over ‘blue roof’ can delay up to 120mm of water depth from reaching the ground in a storm event. Sensors installed to assist research into role of planted roofs in rainwater attenuation. |