The New Sustainable Research Building,
The School of the Built Environment,
The University of Nottingham
The brief was for a 3-storey 1300m2 building, which provided the following
accommodation:
• studio space on the fi rst and second fl oor levels
• ground fl oor research and laboratory space
• a working fl at roof research area
• offi ces for the Institute of Sustainable Energy Technology
• a new 150 seat lecture room
• ancillary toilet and storage space
A building budget, (excluding VAT, loose furniture and fees), of £1.6
million
was jointly funded by a SRIF bid and the University of Nottingham.
Design:
A demanding budget for a building with a high provision of laboratory
space, meant that from the outset the building form had to be both efficient
and disciplined. Simple interlocking rectangular volumes were therefore
established early on, with the dimensions of the body of the building being
derived from a single studio working space. These were then translated into
exact brick dimensions.
Placed within a mature landscape setting, the building encloses the third
side
of a ‘lawned’ court. An existing brick Victorian garden wall
is ‘continued’
and used to wrap and set out the building at ground level before marking
the
entrance(s) with full height fl ourishes. Deliberately kept light and open
in
nature, the building allows the mature landscape not only to be seen through
but also to pass by the building. The main body is predominantly glazed
at first
and second fl oor levels offering a real sense of contact with the landscape
both near and far. The building also constantly and subtly changes in appearance
as the glass continuously plays with refl ections and the changing light
cast by the sky and fi ltered by the trees. At night the building really
comes alive. The main entrance is approached from under the canopy of trees
passing by the ‘headless statue’ and then from under the canopy
of the building. The first flight of stairs is deliberately kept heavy and
set between concrete walls. A corner window on the second quarter landing
allows a glance back to the statue. The access 16 between floors then moves
to the glazed façade of the building and a ‘light’ steel
and timber stair that fl ies within the triple height entrance hall towards
to the light and views.
Made with glass, brick, steel and concrete the building’s fi nishes
internally are
predominantly fairfaced. Large timber framed windows have been detailed
so
that they seem to fl oat or hang within the glass wall.
Sustainability:
The selection of materials for the building was driven by a desire to resource
these within 35 miles of the site wherever possible. The following list
shows
what was achieved:
In addition Larch was the main wood selected for use in the building. The
Larch was sourced from a small estate on the Borders of Scotland.
The narrow plan allows for cross-ventilation and daylight. However due to
the
proximity of the building to the tree line, this has been supplemented by
8 light
and ventilation wells fi nishing above roof level as glass lanterns.
The use of massive construction allows the diurnal internal temperatures
to be
controlled and combined with an under fl oor heating system which serves
the
main spaces.
The rainwater from the roof is recycled back into the building and used
for
flushing the toilets.
MATERIALS |
NOTES |
DISTANCE(MILES) |
Excavated material |
Reused on site or relocated on the |
Nil |
Hardcore fill |
Reused from demolished buildings on the University Campus |
Nil |
Insitu concrete |
Batched and mixed Dunkirk, Nottingham |
1 |
Brick |
Ibstock, Leicester |
26 |
Pre-cast concrete planks |
Sutton-in-Ashfield |
19 |
Terracotta tiles |
Swadlincote, Derbyshire |
26 |
Panablok panels |
Mansfield |
15 |
Lift installation |
90% of lift British made and brought together in Loughborough |
15 |
|
Leicester |
26 |
Solar thermal and photovoltaic panels are to be fi xed to the roof structure
shortly and will be used to supplement the building’s thermal and
electrical
requirements. This strategy is assisted by the use of two gas fi red combined
heat and power units.
The building has an indicative BREEAM rating of excellent and the thermal
performance of the envelope exceeds the requirements of the current building
regulations.
The building is designed to act as a test bed for new and renewable
technologies. The flat roof serves as a test platform for solar systems
and
sections of the façade can be removed and replaced with innovative
envelope
systems. The building and its occupants serve as a means of operating new
technologies under realistic operating conditions and obtaining user feedback
on their performance.
Credits:
Architects: David Short Associates
with Richard Havenhand and Gregg Wilson
Client: Estates Offi ce, The University of Nottingham
Structural Engineer: Price & Myers (Nottingham)
Quantity Surveyor & Planning Supervisor: WT Partnership (Nottingham)
Mechanical & Electrical Consultants: DH Squire Consulting Engineers
Sustainability: The School of the Built Environment,
The University of Nottingham
Main Contractor: Loach Construction
David Short, David Short Associates
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