Digital Aviation and Research Technology Centre (DARTeC)
Client: Cranfield University
Our Approach
The DARTeC building is spearheading research into digital aviation technology.
The building creates a unique research environment for a number of leading aeronautical development groups who will be working on potentially game-changing technologies in air traffic control and airport management.
The engineering design integrates bespoke Audio Visual, Security and data sharing solutions into this environment but also provides complete flexibility to change the use of the spaces in future with a fully accessible floor void and considerable spare capacity in both plant and distribution. Thus, for example, the sizing of the ventilation distribution allows for a different occupancy variation between floors in the future.
The external plane canopy and umbilical connection allow integration of plane based systems and, again, a flexible design for the local electrical services was provided. Two further external laboratory “towers” for radar research were designed around the external chiller and sub-station compound.
This is the first of several developments in this part of the campus, requiring extension of the existing district heating mains to allow connection to a low carbon heat source. Heating solutions using radiant panels, perimeter trench convectors and air systems further enhance the flexibility of the research spaces.
The first floor heating system was designed to be sympathetic to the aesthetic of the novel roof design and requirement to maximise wall space using angled high level radiant panels to the perimeter of the research space.
The above is combined with a high performance building fabric and solar shading to deliver a BREEAM Excellent rating for the building.
The lighting design achieves very high efficiency through LED technology and sophisticated controls with a wireless communications network for added flexibility. The freedom from traditional lamp sizes/shapes also translates into architectural lighting solutions that enhance and coordinate with the aesthetic of the spaces.
Additional reductions in carbon emissions were delivered by a ground mounted PV array of over 150m². This in turn will be used by Cranfield University as a research opportunity for battery technologies.
