Following several successful refurbishments across the Cambridge Science Park for Trinity College, we were appointed to undertake the refurbishment of Unit 316.
Constructed in 1998, Unit 316 consisted of circa 2,000sq.m office space and clean room facilities spread over two floors. Following completion, the building suffered damage due to ground movement issues. Whilst some remedial works had been carried out in 2006, there had been ongoing movement issues predominately to the ground floor walls and slab.
The scheme included the removal of the ground bearing floor slab and its replacement with a piled suspended slab. The refurbishment comprised a Cat B laboratory at ground floor and office space at first. The entrance and escape stairs were remodelled, the welfare facilities relocated to a more efficient central core, and a below-ground laboratory drainage system was installed. Works were also undertaken to the external entrance area to improve pedestrian access and provide amenity space.
Demolishing the building was considered, but by opting for refurbishment the project team managed to make a significant saving in embodied carbon (circa 90%) and significantly improve the building’s energy efficiency.