The School of Technology, Oxford Brookes University

This project was to replace outdated facilities for the departments of electronics and mechanical engineering funded by HEFCE, Oxford Brookes and a contribution from SEEDA to support the specialist Motorsport Academy initiative developed by Brookes.

Our strong experience of designing buildings with passive environmental measures enabled us to pursue this approach from the very beginning and thus minimised the need to pursue expensive measures to achieve improved environmental performance.

With the use of IES software we were able to produce a thermal model as soon as concept designs were sketched. This model was then used as a design tool informing both the shape and arrangement of spaces to maximise passive air flows through the building and design optimally sized and located windows and opening louvred vents. Our services strategy and architectural design developed together into one holistic design, which maximises efficiencies in terms of building fabric and structure and mechanical and electrical services. This approach is fundamental to our design ethos and relies upon strong experience at early stages of projects and the ability to develop the design based upon 'measurable' science rather than 'rule of thumb' art. This approach applies to all our design projects and is not limited to any particular sector.