Xtrac Research and Manufacturing Unit, Reading

Ridge worked with Xtrac to construct a new manufacturing facility at Thatcham. The client needed to relocate 4 factory units onto one new site. The 85,000 sq ft building was required to be energy efficient.

The building design was developed to accommodate the manufacturing process, which produces large heat gains. Most energy saving techniques were inappropriate for this situation, or did not produce suitable payback.

CFD analysis showed that cooling to the machine shop could be avoided by a passive ventilation system. The building also houses offices and reception areas as well as the high tech manufacturing facility.