The University of Cambridge was founded in the year 1209 and is known world-wide as an educational standard bearer with 31 Colleges, 150+ Departments, and it’s more than 100 affiliates that have been awarded the Nobel Prize since 1904. Now this renowned University has added a building that takes high performance and sustainability to the next level.
“The Civil Engineering building has been designed to high environmental standards and incorporates some of the features of the latest innovations in infrastructure and building monitoring technology within the engineering design,” said John Dugan, Director at Prism Architectural Ltd., the glazing and cladding specialist on the project.
Dugan added, “This is also the first project that has been designed and fitted with thermochromic glass fins externally. The Suntuitive Dynamic Glass on the facade tints as temperatures warm and intuitively allows daylight in while limiting the UV and glare penetrating the building. This gives the structure the ability to maintain best temperature and comfort.”
- In addition, this building also features other major technological advancements including:
- Strategically-located sensors delivering real-time feedback on the performance of the building, to include temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels.
- Construction elements that enable the building to be taken apart and re-used including the steel frame which is bolted together rather than welded and concrete ‘planks’ to make the floor
- Extension-friendly adaptable cladding to allow for future expansion of the building
According to a release from the University, “Sustainability and future proofing underpins the design of the building, which houses the new National Research Facility for Infrastructure Sensing (NRFIS) and has 12 world-class, state-of-the-art laboratories focusing on a wide variety of civil engineering disciplines, including sensor development, structures, geomechanics and construction.”
For Suntuitive the opportunity to be installed in this building was a major step into continuing its growth internationally and in this project through its customers Via Solis (glass processing) and Prism Architectural.
“We are excited to have Prism Architectural Ltd. as a customer with Suntuitive Dynamic Glass glazed in thisimpressive building. This truly represents a significant reference project in the UK and a bold step by the University of Cambridge to embrace sustainable design,” said Jim Gresehover, Vice President International Development for Suntuitive.
Suntuitive Dynamic Glass is the leading innovator in self-tinting dynamic glass with 500+ installations in more than 30 countries in all building segments like office, retail, residential, education and healthcare. It meets the various needs of the building community including more natural light, occupant comfort, energy efficiency and sustainability. It offers a large variety of options to fit the needs of any project. Suntuitive’s self-tinting glass is easy to install, doesn’t require wires, sensors, or controls, and starts working right away.
For more information on Suntuitive please visit www.suntuitiveglass.com.
For more details on this new building: www.eng.cam.ac.uk/news/opening-new-civil-engineering-building-make-significant-contribution-uk-infrastructure-research.