The National Graphene Institute

Winner of the H&V News 'Building Services Project of the Year' award, the Institute provides research space with specialist laboratories and offices

Our Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick business delivered all of the mechanical and electrical services for this award-winning building. As a laboratory, the Institute demanded a complex system to deliver close control of temperature, humidity, pressure, vibration and electromagnetic interference.

The building also needed facilities to deal with special requirements such as ultra-pure water, specialist gases, vacuum, compressed air and solvent and acid extraction systems.

Designed for the future

Our works included ventilation, heating, cooling, domestic hot water, power, lighting, data, fire detection, security and building management systems.

Using Building Information Modelling, we eliminated waste and re-work by spotting service clashes before work began. Modules manufactured off-site at our Off-site Solutions factory were delivered ready to install, including multi-service corridor modules, plant skids and lab bulk heads that incorporate localised air handling units, pipework, containment and ductwork.

Energy efficient building systems

As well as meeting stringent technical requirements, the mechanical and electrical installation also employs a range of energy and resource conserving solutions. This includes reclaiming heat from ventilation to pre-heat the air supply, harvesting rainwater and using extensive energy metering. Photovoltaic cells and lighting control systems further limit energy waste.

£15

million contract

7,600

square metre facility