The Department of Engineering is the largest department at the University of Cambridge and is one of the world’s leading centres for engineering.
The Trumpington Street site comprises three buildings including the Inglis, Baker and James Dyson building.
Project 1 Overview
Re-roofing of the Inglis Building & Installation of 100 Kw Photovoltaic Array
We were appointed as lead consultant project managers for the re-roofing of the Inglis building’s laboratories and workshops over two separate phases and two years of work.
The project required the existing steel framed North light roofs to be stripped of their existing defective slate and glass coverings, formation of new wider valley gutters, installation of new insulated composite, profiled metal panels and a 100Kw array of photovoltaic panels.
We provided building surveying services to design the specification and Employer’s Requirements for the project, acted as Employer’s Agent under the Design and Build contract and completed applications to the local authority for planning and conservation area consent.
The project provided significant, unique challenges as the Client declined the use of a temporary roof, to protect the building from weather ingress, and the laboratories had to continue their teaching and research functions, undisturbed over the course of the project.
Extensive input was required to develop the Client’s brief into a concept that could be successfully designed and tendered.
The health and safety constraints of working above the fully functioning teaching and research laboratories, whilst removing the existing Georgian wired glazing and other roofing materials, required extensive development.
A thoroughly developed and practical solution to progressing the works, whilst preventing water ingress had to be established at an early stage.
Without this the financial impact of a temporary roof, for the duration of the project, would have reduced the scope of the project.
The two phases of works have proved extremely successful for the department, providing new energy efficient roofing materials with an improved roof design that is now able to accommodate sudden downpours and increased volume rainfall patterns.
The 100Kw photovoltaic array also successfully supplements the department’s energy requirements.
The two phases of works were completed safely, without incident, to programme and budget objectives, without water ingress into the building and undue disturbance to the department’s teaching and research activities
Project 2 Overview
Cooling & Chilled Water Plant Installation
We were appointed as lead consultant project managers for the installation of a new chiller unit, providing additional cooling and chilled water capacity to the Baker building.
The project required sympathetic design and extensive consideration of the building’s function and location.
Acoustic consultants were engaged for planning application approval for the additional noise generated by the plant, close to residential accommodation.
The location of the chiller plant unit required the installation of a vibration and acoustically isolated steel deck to the roof of laboratory that could not tolerate additional vibration or acoustic disturbance to its teaching and research activity.
The expertise for the isolation of the plant deck required the engagement of European based consultants, working with the appointed mechanical and electrical engineers, with their design being extensively tested by the department’s research laboratory prior to authorisation to proceed was granted.
The works were programmed and completed around the busy teaching and research activities of the department.
The laboratories (located below the new plant deck) could not be moved to an alternative location, whilst the works were completed, and so posed significant risk management requirements prior to and throughout the duration of the project.
How we differ from our competitors
As a chartered building surveying and project management practice, we are clearly differentiated from the rest of the market by our enhanced technical knowledge and professional standards.
We are regulated by the RICS, the world’s leading professional body for qualifications and professional standards in construction, property, land and infrastructure.
