Molecular Sciences

Client: University of Birmingham

Our Approach

The brief

Molecular Sciences is a flagship new-build facility for the University of Birmingham that will provide a designated hub for the University’s Schools of Chemistry, and Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES). The University sought to bring together over 500 scientists from across different disciplines to collaborate on the biggest scientific challenges of our time – from making materials to trap carbon dioxide to developing sustainable approaches to manufacturing molecules and materials.

CPW were appointed to deliver M&E services, incorporating Passivhaus design principles and state-of-the-art technologies highly efficient ventiliation. The 11,250m2 hub features sustainable laboratories with 171 high-efficiency fume cupboards, offices and flexible collaborative spaces.

Molecular Sciences is the first phase of the University of Birmingham’s masterplan to create a world-class research facility that will span 50,000m2 once complete.

Sustainable building and services design

As this building houses sustainable innovators, it was imperative that the building design had sustainability at its core. The facility achieved both EPC A (14) and on track for BREEAM Excellent ratings, putting the building in the top 10% of UK new non-domestic buildings for sustainability performance.

Working to passive design principles that aim to maintain consistent ambient temperatures and minimise energy consumption, the design includes:

high performance thermal and airtightness in the façade design, with U-Values that outperform Building Regulations standards;
solar shading fins and technical glazing to maximise daylight whilst controlling solar gain; and
exposed thermal mass of concrete soffits to help regulate the internal environment and allow omission of unnecessary linings and ceilings.

In line with the University’s net zero goals, CPW advised the use of state-of-the-art air source heat pumps which reduce carbon emissions by 70% in comparison to fossil fuel-based heat and hot water generation. By running on electricity, the building is also ready to take advantage of further decarbonisation of the electrical grid.

Alongside this, heat recovery technology and renewable energy generation are central to the green credentials of the building, reducing the building’s energy waste and consumption and producing c.83,900 kWh energy/year with 475m2 of rooftop photovoltaic panels.

Reducing operational and embodied carbon

SMART solutions have been implemented to reduce carbon emissions within the building. Selecting LED lighting with smart controls uses approximately 75% less energy than incandescent lighting and smart sensors detect and monitor daylight in rooms to automatically control lighting levels, significantly reducing the buildings operational carbon and extending the life of fittings, thereby reducing the embodied carbon in repair and replacement.

Approximately 1200 tCo²e was saved through specifying lower embodied carbon concrete mixes. Carbon benchmarking on the scheme will be used to address further carbon reductions in planned future phases of the site’s development. The ‘as-built’ model of the Molecular Sciences building acts as a digital twin to the physical building and will contain all the carbon data associated with building materials and elements.

The use of Smart solutions and digital twin technologies contributes to the University’s Smart Campus Vision, enabling the collection of data for future analysis during building operation which will be used to enhance the experience of students, staff and visitors as a fully connected, global campus.

Overcoming project challenges

One of the key challenges of the project was to ensure that the energy centre did not affect the vibration sensitive equipment in use in the laboratories. As such, a two-storey energy centre was created on the edge of the site to mitigate the impact vibrations.

Furthermore, the project was awarded during the pandemic, impacting all areas of the project from the supply chain to delivery. The project team worked closely to ensure the safety of all staff on the project and to minimise the impact of lockdowns on the timeline of the project.