In delivering the £13 million mechanical and electrical (M&E) package for an architecturally stunning and award winning science laboratory in Cambridge, Balfour Beatty Engineering Services (BBES) were faced with the challenge of integrating sustainable initiatives and new technology for a building with high energy demands whilst maintaining architectural intent.
Winner of the prestigious 2012 Stirling Prize for Architecture and designed by architects Stanton Williams, The Sainsbury Laboratory is an 11,000m2 (meters squared) two-storey plant science research centre set in the University of Cambridge’s Botanic Garden.
Providing state-of-the-art facilities for world-leading scientists, mathematicians and chemists carrying out research into plant development, the building has achieved a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, aided by a number of sustainable initiatives including 1,000 m2 of photovoltaic (PV) panels and photocell-controlled electric lighting, which results in daylight providing the only general lighting for most of the working hours. Other low environmental impact solutions included rainwater harvesting and water monitoring, designed to further increase energy efficiency.
For this highly serviced building, BBES ‘comprehensive M&E installation, completed for main contractor Kier, included the installation of fume cupboards, ventilation, chilled water, heating, BMS controls, air conditioning, lighting, power and security systems, as well as the PV panels and photocell-controlled electric lighting.
“The laboratory’s high specification and energy demands, particularly in the plant growth herbariums, was a challenge in terms of M&E design and installation as Stanton Williams’s aim was for a clean, uncluttered aesthetic throughout the building,” commented Steve Rowland, BBES project manager. “This meant all of the building’s extensive M&E services had to be designed and installed into incredibly tight ceiling spaces within this concrete framed building.”
As one of the UK’s leading M&E contractors, BBES has a clear focus on sustainability – in relation to both the sustainable delivery of a scheme and creation of buildings that offer low environmental impact in operation.
To minimise the environmental impact through careful waste management and provide a more efficient and safer way of delivering the scheme, BBES utilised its Modular Systems + facility to deliver and install the plant room and 18 prefabricated risers. These risers contained modules for ductwork and pipework, which form a continuous ribbon around the L-shaped building.
Offsite building services assembly offers many desirable qualities. As well as helping to reduce hours on site, factory controlled assembly offers a much safer approach to construction. It also helps to significantly reduce waste whilst maximising quality control since all components can be fully tested before being delivered to site. Together, this approach enables BBES to offer projects a more sustainable approach to building services delivery.
Now complete, the Stirling Prize winning Sainsbury Laboratory will provide a high quality and unique working environment and is a fitting home for the world’s leading scientists. It further demonstrates BBES’ ability to deliver complex M&E schemes safely, efficiently and sustainably.
