The new Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology (CMCB) building will represent the University’s strength of ambition, its energy performance setting a benchmark for the buildings on campus that follow it.
The Estates Office are aiming for a BREEAM rating of "Excellent" for the building, and have designed its systems so that they should achieve an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate.
Given that it's being built at the front end of Gibbet Hill campus, next to one of the main entry points for traffic coming into the University, the building will need to look good. The same goes for the interior, which is going to house some of the world's highest calibre of researchers and students.
This two storey building will be connected to the neighbouring Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) building on the ground floor and via the roof. It will house research laboratories, equipment suites, and offices.
Warwick has secured grants from Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and the Wolfson Foundation to help cover the construction costs.
It will open in the first quarter of 2012.
Technical Information
The key innovative and low-impact design features of the building:
- Solar panels on the roof
- Outer walls designed to maintain a constant temperature
- Variable Air Volume (VAV) system to maximise the energy saving potential of the building’s air conditioning.
- New European standard (BSEN 14175) of Fume cupboard ventilation instead of the outgoing British Standard.
- Compliance with government regulations on the conservation of fuel and power.
- Targetting an 'A' rated energy performance certificate in terms of energy consumption.
- Use of non-electrical methods of cooling and ventilation.
Statistics
- Overall building cost - £/m² - £3,097/m²
- Services Costs - £/m² - £1,533/m²
- External Works – £/m² - £131/m²
- Gross floor area - m² - £1,443m²
- Total area of site – hectares – N/A
- Function areas and their size (m²) - £1,196 m²
- Area of circulation (m²) - 247m²
- Area of storage (m²)
- % area of grounds to be used by community (where relevant) -N/A
- % area of buildings to be used by community (where relevant) -N/A
- Predicted electricity consumption – kWh/m² - 48 kWh/m² (including equipment)
- Predicted fossil fuel consumption – kWh/m² - all by University CHP installation, but approx. 104 kWh/m²
- Predicted renewable energy generation – kWh/m² - 43 kWh/ m² (roof mounted PV's)
- Predicted water use – m/person/year - 3.07m/person/year (excluding lab basins 3.67 including lab basins)
- % predicted water use to be provided by rainwater or grey water – 0%
The steps taken during the construction process to reduce environmental impacts, i.e innovative construction management techniques:
- Stepnell Ltd. have their company Environmental Policy displayed on the site notice board. Targets have been set for fuel, electricity and water consumption with present consumption well below the targets set.
- Waste is sorted and recycled by the waste carrier off site (with 75-80% being recycled/reused). All granular fill for the site is also recycled material, with recycled pallets having been purchased for movement of materials on site.
- Water suppression is in use to reduce dust and local materials and plant are being used wherever possible. Water and electricity are taken from the University’s existing supplies and are metered.
- Fuel is stored in a double-bunded tank ,with a spill kit adjacent and in the Site Office.
- Two satisfactory audits have also taken place under the Co. BSI 18001 accreditation scheme.
- Tree protection measures have been provided where necessary. Protection for wildlife has also been provided.
- Noise readings are being taken on site to compare with back-ground noise.
- Through the above measures, Stepnell Ltd. have scored a high 34 points on the Considerate Constructors Scheme.
A list of any social or economically sustainable measures achieved:
All lab areas have been designed for future flexibility and will be adaptable as the science within them develops. This will enhance the life span of the building.
