The project involves the construction of a number of specialist laboratory facilities including an electron microscopy suite.
Groundworks specialist J. Breheny has just finished pouring the concrete slab for the electron microscope building in a 14-hour continuos poor of 1,350m cu over the weekend.
Mitie is now on board to design and install a mixed ventilation system to maximise the use of natural ventilation supplemented by mechanical cooling in the building.
Over 200 sq m of photovoltaic panels will generate the electrical equivalent of 23kW, yielding savings of 9800 kg CO2 emissions per year.
Mitie will build the entire plant room off-site, speeding up delivery time and ensuring quality control.
Bill Robson, managing director of MITIE’s Property Management business, said: “This latest project at Cambridge University is a big win and we’re committed to a timely delivery, adding value and energy savings for Cambridge University and our partners.”
The target for the building is to attain a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and an Energy Performance Certificate rating of ‘B.’
The department plans to relocate in 2013 and the university is taking the opportunity to refurbish and upgrade the whole of the 15o,000 sq ft Arup Building at a cost of £35m.