Panel Discussion - World Green Building Week

The renewal of major '60s/ '70s University structures, and in particular the Arup Building in the centre of Cambridge, was the talking point at Nicholas Hare Architects panel discussion at our Barnsbury office last night.

Part of the World Green Building Week, speakers included Ravinder Dhillon and Grahame Jenkins from the University of Cambridge and Alasdair Young from Buro Happold.

As a research led University, Cambridge face significant challenges to meet the HEFCE targets for reducing C02 emissions; it is clearly not as straightforward as replacing buildings with efficient low carbon alternatives, with plug loads making a substantial difference to emissions.

The decision to refurbish rather than replace was partly driven largely by an inspired user client, the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, whose interest in both construction issues and how the building is used during its operational life has significantly influenced the developing brief.

All parties recognise the need to go further than BREEAM; following user workshops, Buro Happold have developed a Sustainability Framework with a Process Map that aims to provide a more focused and relevant set of criteria than those provided by BREEAM.

During the Q&A, issues such as the feasibility of over-cladding management of contractor's design to ensure outcomes are delivered were all discussed.