Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre
1 / Introduction
The Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), developed by the University of Sheffield in partnership with aerospace giant Boeing, was set up to tackle manufacturing problems, utilising the university’s expertise in metals and new, exotic materials. This research facility, the second in the AMRC’s portfolio, is an exemplar of sustainable construction.
Key facts
- Research facility partnered with the University of Sheffield
- Exemplary carbon-neutral space
- Naturally ventilated environment with minimal running costs
- BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating of 71.13%
Related Disciplines
The Project Details
- Client:
The University of Sheffield - Architect:
Bond Bryan - Buro Happold services:
Building services engineering, civil engineering, fire engineering, ground engineering, structural engineering, acoustic engineering, BREEAM consultation and assessment.
2 / Challenge
The client required a building that enabled the AMRC to continue to push technical boundaries; creating an outstanding research facility that also worked sustainably, contributing to keeping emissions – and costs – down to a minimum.
With a substantial amount of their budget dedicated to sustainable solutions - £1m out of the £8m budget – the AMRC had very specific targets that they wanted to meet. From the very beginning of the project we applied a clear process to how we were going to deliver a low energy, sustainability programme.
3 / Solution
As sustainability is one of the key issues for manufacturers, the building design had to match this, operating economically in terms of both energy usage and financial impact. To provide optimum levels of natural lighting and ventilation, the windows and roof lights were designed to ensure 97% of the internal space is lit naturally during daylight hours. Even where windows were not possible, the use of materials such as ETFE and Kalwall cladding – which have excellent insulation properties but allow sunlight to pass through – means there will be only minimal use of artificial lighting in these areas.
As sustainability is one of the key issues for manufacturers, the building design had to match this, operating economically in terms of both energy usage and financial impact. To provide optimum levels of natural lighting and ventilation, the windows and roof lights were designed to ensure 97% of the internal space is lit naturally during daylight hours. Even where windows were not possible, the use of materials such as ETFE and Kalwall cladding – which have excellent insulation properties but allow sunlight to pass through – means there will be only minimal use of artificial lighting in these areas.
4 / Value
The multi-disciplinary design team had sustainability in mind throughout; creating a building that requires only minimal electricity. All of the energy saving measures have made the AMRC virtually self sufficient, creating a carbon neutral building with greatly reduced running costs. Our solutions have helped the client to realise their aspirations: achieving a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating while providing a bright, airy and positive working environment for researcher and students.
The combination of the technologies our team incorporated will save the client an impressive £150,000 annually on utility bills, and will return their investment in just five years. Our achievements at the AMRC led to us being re-commissioned to work on their expanding portfolio of research buildings.
