University of Cambridge

Date: 07/07/08

Cambridge college goes green

Sustainability was top of the agenda last week when staff, fellows and donors met to top-out Clare College's new court next to the Cambridge University Library.

The traditional ceremony was given a contemporary twist when the Master of Clare, Professor Tony Badger, marked reaching the highest point in the building by fitting the last solar panel in place.

Solar panels on the roof of the three-storey residential wing are just one of several energy-efficient technologies integrated into the design and construction of the new court, created by London architects van Heyningen and Haward and built by regional contractors Haymills.

The solar panels will provide much of the hot water for the building. To provide energy efficient cooling and heating all year round, 12 geothermal piles will be sunk up to 100 metres into the ground. A ground-source heat pump can then extract heat from the earth to warm the building or return excess heat from the building to the ground.

In addition to these active energy-saving measures, the building also incorporates 'passive' sustainability features. A highly insulated, air-tight external skin has been used to minimise energy loss and reduce maintenance costs. Where possible, the building is naturally ventilated, with large opening windows. Solar control glazing and semi-permeable solar control blinds have also been fitted to block out glare and heat without compromising natural light.

Cedar wood cladding is being fitted to the external façade of the residential wing, providing a natural finish in keeping with the wooded character of Burrell's Walk that runs alongside the new court.

The £6.5 million construction project, comprising a study centre and new student accommodation set around a landscaped court, is due to be completed by the end of the year and will be opened in 2009 as part of Cambridge University's 800th Anniversary celebrations.

Tony Badger, Master of Clare College, said "Clare takes sustainability issues very seriously, and we are delighted that our new court will be a model of energy efficiency". Steve Firman, East Anglian Director for contractors Haymills, added "Haymills has a strong and award-winning track record in the specialist Cambridge College arena and is ideally placed in terms of skills and expertise to meet the demands of this type of project."

Reproduced courtesy University of Cambridge Office of Communications

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Organisation: University of Cambridge

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