National Composites Centre

Location
Bristol
Client
SWRDA
University of Bristol
National Composites Centre
Value
£31.5m
Completion
2011 phase 1 / 2014 phase 2
Size
17,000sqm
BREEAM Rating
'Excellent'

Composites research and manufacturing in Bristol

Stride Treglown designed this purpose built independent National Composites Centre for the University of Bristol. The building accommodates the design and production of carbon composite components and is an international hub that provides the very latest in design and high-tech manufacturing.

200 leading industry researchers and academic experts are based at the centre, working together to produce new technologies through the design and laboratory phases and into production.

The buildings contain approximate 5000sqm of workshop space incorporating manufacturing process plant, clean rooms, high level cranes and research areas, the remaining 2,000sqm consists of open plan office space and meeting facilities.

Building on the tremendous achievement of Phase 1, which has become an open access world class international hub for the design and rapid manufacture of composites. The design for Phase 2 takes its lead from the successful Phase 1, with a simple palette of materials, reinterpreted north lights providing natural daylight and PV panels. This new dynamic phase provides large flexible demonstrator assembly and high volume manufacturing workshops along with small scale manufacturing, teaching and research accommodation.

Stride Treglown worked with design & build contractor Sir Robert McAlpine to ensure buildability and cost control was achieved to meet the client’s budget and programme.

With a rating of BREEAM ‘Excellent’, daylighting and natural ventilation has been maximised which, when combined with high performance M+E systems, a highly insulated and air tight envelope and the provision of PV’s delivers in excess of a 20% reduction of the buildings regulated carbon emissions.