What's New - Commercial

View | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007

MARCH 09 - SCIENCE INDUSTRY ADOPTS A NATURAL APPROACH



A £10m development aimed specifically at creating a total business environment for the knowledge-based industry is adopting a natural approach to its build technology.

Phase 4 of the Tamar Science Park- which aims once complete to be the most outstanding science park in the UK, and is currently the only development of its type in the South West- will provide an additional 120,000 sq ft of accommodation to support new and developing business. Stage 1 of the phase incorporates four new two- and three-storey buildings providing flexible office and research accommodation, all of which optimise sustainable strategies.

Central to the sustainability is Passivent natural ventilation. Passivent Aircool ventilator units attenuate as programmed to draw in replacement air, and exhaust the warm, used air from within. The system primarily uses natural variations in air temperature and movement to function, whereby warm air rises, thereby operating 24/7 and ensuring a comfortable internal ambient temperature is maintained round the clock. Exposed slabwork on the façade further contributes towards the night cooling strategy. Extensive use of glazing optimises natural daylight within, whilst brise soleil across the exteriors help reduce solar heat gain.

Elaborated Alex Lammie lead architect for the project at LHC Architecture, “We satisfied environmental pressures by maximising the architectural design and use of available technology to optimise and control natural energy sources such as natural ventilation and natural light.”

The two two-storey buildings feature a combination of window and wall Aircool ventilators, whilst the two three-storey buildings utilise window Aircool units only to ventilate the internal space: in total 176 window Aircools and 32 wall Aircools with modulating actuators have been installed.

The warmer internal air rises and is extracted through higher level Aircools. Cooler, replacement air is drawn in from outside by lower level Aircool units. Modulating actuators allow room occupants to adjust internal ventilation flow as required. Using just 1 watt of electricity to attenuate the ventilation louvres, the Aircool units can be minutely adjusted to control airflow requirements taking into account the weather outside- the speed and direction of wind, rain, temperature and the location of the units within the building facade, to ensure a gentle flow of fresh air into the building without draughts. The units can be controlled individually or linked to an overall ventilation control or building management system.

Thermally broken and insulated, the units are as thermally efficient when closed as a standard double glazed window, thanks to a controllable damper that combines a unique profile with highly reflective strip inserts.

The new buildings are already generating interest from prospective tenants, from new start-up business to existing companies already on site and wanting to expand: workshops held at the Park to promote Phase 4 have been attended by a high number of existing and prospective clients, stakeholders and partners. Nigel Halford, chief executive for Tamar Science Park, commented, “The plans for Phase 4 are far-reaching and will provide for a total business environment which will see for the first time the convergence of science, education and industry on one site. This in turn will take us one step closer to being acknowledged as the outstanding science park in the UK.”

Passivent is a founder member of the NatVent EC-EU-funded project co-ordinated by the Building Research Establishment to develop practical natural ventilation solutions for the commercial sector, and is developing “smart” solutions to promote adoption of natural ventilation. The company is the UK’s leading designer and supplier of natural ventilation systems for both domestic and commercial applications. The company has contributed to the BISRIA guide BG2/2005 Wind Driven Natural Ventilation Systems, as well as being members of the DfES steering committee on ventilation guidance for schools, Building Bulletin 101.

Back >