M&E installation for UTC Berkeley

A new, three-storey University Technical College set in the grounds of the now decommissioned Berkeley Nuclear Power station, developed by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College.

Science laboratories occupy the upper floor with more conventional classrooms on its middle tier including secure data rooms to enhance and develop the knowledge of students in our new cyber age. The ground floor provides an extensive engineering workshop at one end, a multipurpose ‘Challenge Arena’ at the other and a large student circulation/study area located centrally.

The building is highly serviced, both mechanically and electrically, with all the systems that have become expected in any modern educational establishment. Air conditioning, natural and forced ventilation, underfloor and domestic heating derived from a sophisticated air source heat pump providing highly efficient heating with low energy consumption. Electrically fully automated LED lighting throughout, access control, CCTV, fire and intruder alarms, disabled WC alarms and a refuge system. An extensive data infrastructure and building management system along with photovoltaics contributes to the buildings’ environmental credentials. The project provided several challenges for the M&E installation, not least the fact that most services are on display throughout the whole of the building.