Architectural
aluminium glazing systems by leading UK manufacturer Kawneer have helped a new
hub building set a benchmark for the design of future developments in
Europe's first science park.
Kawneer's AA®100 SSG
(Structurally Silicone Glazed) curtain walling, with AA®720 doors and open-in
side-hung vents, form the main structure to the two main facades of the £20
million John Bradfield Centre at the 151-acre Cambridge Science Park, owned by Trinity
College Cambridge.
Its sinuous
crescent-shaped form designed to BREEAM "Excellent" by architects
Aukett Swanke was inspired by its lakeside setting and uses Kawneer's curtain
walling (with 50mm sightlines and 300mm feature caps), windows and doors on the
main rear façade, where visitors enter the site, and on the main façade.
A triple-height
atria feature is arranged on an axis from the main entrance and is highlighted
as an accent feature on the convex lakeside façade. These were installed over
10 months by JPJ Installations for main contractor SDC.
This atrium
maximises internal connectivity. The main entrance is animated by a social hub,
including café, breakout areas and meeting rooms, as well as spaces for team
working, giving a dynamic open working environment that encourages
collaboration and creative thinking. Upper floors are configured as open or
cellular spaces to suit tenant businesses.
The John Bradfield
Centre plot, on land previously occupied by an older, two-storey building
constructed on the park, is configured in an arc shape formed by the curve of
the science park's inner loop road and the central lake at its heart. The plot
is bounded to the north and south by older, low-density, two-storey
developments which will likewise be recycled in due course.
The main entrance is
positioned eccentrically on the inner concave facade and is approached via a
generous pedestrian avenue. The primary core areas, escape stairs and risers
are positioned within the inner, concave zone of the floorplate, leaving the outer
zone free for flexible office configurations, all enjoying superb views over
the lakeside setting.
The northern and
southern facades are almost completely clad. The core areas are expressed on
the concave facade, while in contrast the western elevation is completely
glazed to maximise natural daylight penetration and lake views. Deep projecting
mullions are employed on this facade to shield the solar path. These are
coloured yellow and provide a fresh uplifting quality, softened by the
perimeter landscape.
Named after the
biologist, entrepreneur and former senior bursar who founded Cambridge Science
Park, the John Bradfield Centre received £4.5 million of Government funding by
the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy as part of its
pledge to invest in the UK's Life Science industry.
Conceived as a key
building at the heart of the scheme, the facility functions as a vibrant centre
for research and development and offers incubator space for early-stage
businesses. It has become the natural meeting point for those active in
technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in Cambridge.
External
materials express the sinuous form of the 55,600ft2 building using simple full-height vertical aluminium cladding,
complemented by the Kawneer windows that run from floor to ceiling.
Aukett Swanke
architect Nayan Dhamdachia said: "The Kawneer systems met the overall
vision that was set out during the early design stages in regards to the
overall concept, thickness of profiles and sightlines. They integrate with
openable panels and striking yellow fins. The glazed elements enhance the
well-being of the building, bringing as much light as possible deep into the
floorplates."
He added: "SDC
delivered an exceptionally high-quality scheme at competitive value. The base
build employed high-quality materials throughout the main external façade
treatment and external works."
The result is an
innovative building and integrated interior design which creates a unique
workplace product in Cambridge. A truly novel working environment is created
and the building is already hosting events and workshops, crystallising its
intended role as a genuine magnet for the local business community.
The brainchild of
the client, Trinity College Cambridge, and their property advisors Bidwells,
the centre is managed by workspace operators Central Working as the largest of
their global network of rapidly expanding membership-based communities.
Members have access
to spacious communal facilities throughout the building which has capacity for
more than 600 people. Non-members are welcome, and indeed encouraged, to use
the café and auditorium as a 24/7 hub facility for the park.
The Bradfield
Centre's facilities are designed to accelerate business to new levels. The aim
is to attract smart, ambitious, like-minded entrepreneurs and companies from
both Cambridge and around the world, co-locate them in scalable,
state-of-the-art facilities, immerse them in a collaborative, entrepreneurial
culture, and connect them to investors, partners, mentors, advisers and
potential customers.
Accelerator
programmes are run on a wide range of business and technical topics. These will
be a core component of the Bradfield Centre offer which is designed with one
goal in mind - to help grow Cambridge-based businesses to a large scale.
