Commercial Projects: Offices

Future Business Centre, Cambridge

Client: Allia Ltd
DB&P's Services: Building Services Consultant Engineers

The concept for the Future Business Centre was to provide working spaces for “impact entrepreneurs,” to inspire and support their venture’s growth. More than an office, Future Business is a space for people who want to change the world for the better through enterprise and innovation. The Client’s principle philosophy was to facilitate and support good ideas and the people behind them, to make a positive social and environmental impact.

Continuing with the Client’s philosophy, Future Business has achieved a BREEAM “Excellent” rating, it sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation.

Key features include:-

  • The use of sustainable building materials that do not emit volatile organic compounds or other harmful chemicals
  • The building ‘breaths’ – employee’s productivity benefits from natural ventilation systems and improved air quality which reduces the potential for allergies, asthma and colds
  • Solar photo voltaic panels are mounted on the roof and to certain elements of the fenestration, the installation provides a natural energy source and reduces CO2 emissions
  • Lighting throughout the building is provided by low energy, high efficiency bulbs and is controlled by PIR motion detectors to reduce energy wastage
  • Individual room temperatures are monitored and controlled by the building’s energy management system. A combination of reverse cycle air source heat pumps concealed within the walls to provide comfort cooling during the peak summer periods and heating to the occupied spaces during the winter months. Supplementary heating to circulation and utility areas is provided by gas fired / low NOx condensing boilers.

Extent of Mechanical Services:

  • Incoming utilities – gas and water
  • LPHW heating – gas fired condensing boilers
  • Reverse cycle air source heat pump units
  • A combination of natural and mechanical ventilation systems
  • Domestic H&C water services
  • Automatic Control Systems – associated BEMS

Extent of Electrical Services:

  • Incoming utilities - electrical power / site transformer
  • High efficiency lighting and emergency lighting
  • Electrical small power
  • Fire alarm installation
  • Door entry, CCTV and security systems
  • Lightning protection
  • Landscape lighting.

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