Cambridge Plant Growth Facility
Ref No ASP 0768 Grad Sky
In order to help reduce the environmental impact of
The University of Cambridge’s new £6 million Plant
Growth Facility, a Kalzip stainless steel roof was the
natural choice for architects R H Partnership.
Some 858 square metres of Kalzip 65/400 stainless
steel smooth curved sheets in a matt finish were
specified owing to their durability and ability to be
recycled at the end of the building’s life. The system,
which was installed by approved Teamkal members
WWR (UK) Ltd, was further complimented by a
slimline curving verge detail, twin skin gutters and a
vapour control layer to minimise air permeability.
Kalzip E180 and E140 clips were also specified to
help meet the required U-value and minimise energy
loss.
case
stu
dy Main contractor Willmott Dixon Architect R H Partnership Client University of
Cambridge
Installer WWR (UK) Ltd
Ref No ASP 0841 Grad Sky
Cambridge - 2005
www.kalzip.com
Located on the 40-acre site of the University of
Cambridge’s Botanic Garden, the research centre
comprises two large halls that each house a series of
growing chambers. The state of the art facility will
allow the students and scientists from the University’s
Department of Plant Science to study plants under
carefully controlled conditions and provide them with
greater opportunities to analyse how the genetic
make-up of plants can effect their development,
growth and resistance to disease.
A curved roof design was chosen in order to reduce
the building’s apparent size whilst remaining
sympathetic to the surrounding gardens. WWR (UK)
Ltd also installed the curved and vertical elevations of
cedar rainscreen cladding situated between the
projecting arched laminated timber beams. The cedar
was sourced from sustainably harvested timber.
To assist in providing the building with a reduced CO2
emissions footprint, the facility also benefits from blast
furnace slag in the concrete foundations and an
unusual two metre retaining wall constructed from
used car tyres that forms a screen to the chiller units.
Sector Universities/HE
Location Cambridge
Year 2005
Roof size 858m2
Products used Twin skin gutters, slimline curving verge detail, VCL, Kalzip E180 and E140 clips.
Kalzip profile 65/400 Stainless Steel
Surface finish Matt
Design Smooth, curved
Other details
Project information
Photo reference numbers: Main photograph ASP 0813 Grad Sky Secondary photographs ASP 0768 Grad Sky ASP 0791 Grad Sky ASP 0795 Grad Sky ASP 0801 ASP 0825 ASP 0841 Grad Sky ASP 0847 ASP 0859
Contact us: Corus Building Systems Haydock Lane Haydock St Helens Merseyside WA11 9TY T +44 (0) 1942 295 500 F +44 (0) 1942 272 136 E [email protected] W www.kalzip.com