reference

The GSK - Laboratory Chemistry, Nottingham | Great Britain

Morgan Sindall constructed the ‘The GSK’ building at the University of Nottingham. It is the first project in the higher education sector to have received the highest rating from both the British BREEAM sustainability certification scheme and the LEED environmental certification scheme.

The GSK – High-tech Labor, Nottingham | Großbritannien © b&k structures

The GSK – High-tech Laboratory, Nottingham | United Kingdom © b&k structures

Verschmelzung des Gebäudes mit der Umgebung © b&k structures

Aufenthaltsbereich durch Brettsperrholz BBS und BSH Elemente geprägt © b&k structures

Hochmodernes Labor mit sichtbaren Holzoberflächen © b&k structures

facts

Project Laboratory for Chemistry
Place Nottingham, Great Britain
Year of construction 2015
Client University of Nottingham
Architecture FDG - The Fairhursts Design Group
Execution B&K Structures in partnership with binderholz
General contractor Morgan Sindall Group
Green facts Wood = CO₂ store | Wood = environmentally recyclable | Wood = solar energy store
Material use 1,420 m³ binderholz CLT BBS wall, ceiling and roof elements

The Concept

The building houses the University of Nottingham’s ‘Centre for Sustainable Chemistry’, which serves as a hub for new collaborations with industry. The centre is unique in the UK – not only in its design, but also in its focus on world-leading research in chemistry.
The research aims to meet the highest ‘clean and green’ standards in order to minimise environmental impact and ensure that the newly developed chemistry is both energy- and resource-efficient.

The Implementation

The building was designed by The Fairhursts Design Group and has a usable floor area of 4,500 m² spread over two storeys.
It incorporates renewable technologies and integrated photovoltaic modules in the roof structure to generate an estimated output of more than 200,000 kWh per year and potentially offset over 100 tonnes of carbon per year.
A total of 1,420 m³ of cross-laminated timber (CLT) was used in the building. The material was utilised for the wall, roof and ceiling elements. The use of solid timber in construction is considered particularly resource-efficient. Thanks to the warm appearance of the exposed timber, the rooms exude a very special sense of cosiness. The excellent properties of the timber mass as a heat and moisture store guarantee a balanced indoor climate.
The energy required for the building’s operation is supplied by renewable sources such as solar energy and biomass. Surplus energy generated by the building will provide sufficient CO₂ credits over a 25-year period to remove from the atmosphere the carbon released during its construction.

3D Rendering des Gebäudes aus Brettsperrholz BBS und BSH Elementen

Wand-, Dach- und Deckenelemente aus binderholz Brettsperrholz BBS © b&k structures

Statement

“This building will be at the forefront of the next generation of highly sustainable research laboratories for research into wet chemistry. We commissioned the best expert knowledge from the project management and design team and are delighted with the appointment of Morgan Sindall as contractual partner. This enables us to continue with the construction and delivery of this project,” reports Chris Jagger, Chief Estates and Facilities Officer, University of Nottingham

The GSK Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry Time-lapse: The GSK