Cambridge University ‘Blue Skies’ research centre achieves BREEAM Excellent with advanced glazing

Intended as a centre for carrying out ‘blue skies’  research, the recently completed £26m Maxwell Centre is the centrepiece for the University of Cambridge’s physical sciences and engineering industrial engagement activity. 

It has been designed to be used by scientists from commercial organisations and academic research teams working alongside one another. The four-storey university building includes research laboratories, seminar rooms, meeting spaces and offices, dedicated to host collaborations with partners in industry.

A key goal for the University of Cambridge was to achieve BREEAM Excellent.  They also wanted the building to deliver cutting edge performance in terms of sustainability, in their goal for providing industry-grade working spaces for occupants.

Pilkington UK Limited’s commercial sales manager, Michael Metcalfe, said that the choice of glass has a big impact on energy performance in a building where the majority of the exterior walls consist of glazing, as it’s essential to keep heat inside the building during the colder months and prevent excessive heating during the summer.

Pilkington Insulight Sun double-glazed units were used throughout the building in order to achieve this. These were constructed of an outer 6mm-thick pane of Pilkington Suncool glass and an inner 6mm Pilktington Optifloat clear inner pane, separated by a 16mm argon-filled cavity.

The Pilkington Suncool glass reduces the amount of solar energy entering a building while maintaining high levels of transparency by selectively filtering out ultraviolet light and featuring an advanced solar-control coating.

Prism Architectural’s Director, John Dugan, said that the solar control capabilities of the units supplied by Pilkington, combined with leading framing systems from Wicona, has allowed us to implement a solution that offers a strong combination of solar control and insulation to deliver a comfortable interior environment efficiently all year round.

Michael Metcalfe added that this building will play a vital role in broadening engagement with non-academic organisations to generate new knowledge and solutions. 

Contact:

Pilkington United Kingdom Limited,
Greengate Works,
Sherdley Road,
St. Helens,
Merseyside,
United Kingdom,
WA9 5 DZ

Phone: 01744 692000
Fax: 01744 692569

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