Nightingale Associates Hands Over Harwell Complex

The Nightingale Associates-designed sustainable research complex at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, UK, has been officially handed over to the Medical Research Council.

The £26m ($41.2m) scheme offers laboratory facilities for life, physical and laser scientists using the UK’s new synchrotron, Diamond Light Source, the ISIS neutron source and the central laser facility.

The building is sited adjacent to the Diamond Light Source near Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

The building is equipped with a rainwater harvesting system and the largest mechanical ventilation system.

Other features include heat recovery, face velocity reductions, natural ventilation, solar control glazing and shading, and an automatic lighting system with passive infrared detectors.

Ground granulated blast-furnace slag was used in the concrete frame to reduce the energy content of the concrete.

During the summer months, the temperature in the lab spaces is allowed to increase from 21°C to 24°C to reduce energy consumption.

The building’s landscape design features recycled materials and plants.