RAD building close to completion
The Trust recently visit the University of Nottingham’s new Research Acceleration and Demonstration (RAD) building, which is tantalisingly close to completion and targeting both BREEAM & Passivhaus Standard. When certified, it will become the largest working Passivhaus laboratory in the UK.
RAD building nearing completion Image ©Yogini Patel, Passivhaus Trust
The 2500m2 centre will provide state of the art facilities for research and testing as part of the Energy Research Accelerator initiative. The flash of red at the RAD entrance echoes the colour found in a growing campus of iconic buildings at the University of Nottingham.
RAD building exterior ©Yogini Patel, Passivhaus Trust
Several speakers spoke on the design and construction challenges faced with delivering the project successfully. Only just beginning to become occupied, the building will eventually house leading UK academics working together with business to accelerate the introduction of new technologies in the energy sector from harvesting & storing wind energy to new materials for hydrogen storage. Laboratories are clustered towards the south of the building, while office research spaces are predominantly located to the north, giving the building a natural split. The building tour gave us an opportunity to see:
- Flexible laboratory spaces
- Office space for researchers
- 2 plant rooms
- Central atrium with a 4-storey green wall and break-out spaces to encourage discussion & exploration of ideas.
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Delegates learned that the £5.4m scheme retrospectively added the Passivhaus target after initial designs were complete following a design & build competitive tender process. The proposed form was relatively efficient, however, there was a decrease in scale and a significant reduction in the building footprint.
It was great to hear that a previous Passivhaus Student Competition winner, Mario Andres Guamami Rodrigues had modelled the proposed building, analysing daylight and energy consumption, which influenced the final design.
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Aiming for Passivhaus after initial designs were completed proved a further challenge for the delivery team, as this was the first Passivhaus for many, and who all needed to collaborate and innovate the design detailing and construction sequencing. All the team used Revit, which made innovation and changes to the design to occur much easier.
Architects Key Lessons
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Key Team
Client: The University of Nottingham Architect: Lewis & Hickey M & E Consultants: Crouch Perry Wilkes & MIES Building Services Project Management: AECOM Passivhaus Consultants: Etude Energy modelling: Greenlite Energy Assessors Contractor: Robert Woodhead Ltd Structural Engineer: BWB Consulting Passivhaus Certifier: WARM |
Unless otherwise stated, all image credits ©Yogini Patel, Passivhaus Trust
Further Information
Previous PHT story: RAD building has Passivhaus ambitions – 16 May 2017
Selection of Presentations from the June 2018 site visit:
- Welcome to the RAD - Seamus Garvey
- Lewis and Hickey - Mike Dixon
- Woodhead Education - Dan King
RAD Building event provides unique insight into Passivhaus process - 30th November 2017