CRC has designed, built and commissioned the electrical, mechanical and HVAC services for the 4,300m2 research facility, which includes laboratory space of 700m2. The £2.65m project also included the installation of a biomass boiler plant which had to be located on the rooftop. CRC subsequently designed a ground-to-roof fuel feed and ash disposal system.
The IFM is the first university building to have achieved an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating in recognition of its environmental performance, the company says. ‘Green’ features include the use of natural ventilation, good levels of natural light and the installation of the biomass boiler.
CRC’s project director, Richard Rowe, said: ‘More and more customers are looking to us to integrate sustainable and renewable energy solutions in our design and build projects. But the solutions also need to be cost effective and efficient as well as meeting the end users’ requirements.’
CRC has also completed multi million pound projects at the Cambridge Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics (CAPE) and at the Nanoscience Centre, which comprises cleanrooms and low noise and vibration laboratories for more than 300 researchers. www.crc-ltd.co.uk