Central Support Facility, UKAEA, Culham
The UKAEA (United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority) is based at Culham Campus in Oxfordshire and is the headquarters of the UKAEA’s fusion energy program and a major international fusion research site. Axiom Building Services were appointed by Beard Oxford to undertake the design and installation of the entire Mechanical and Electrical services requirement for a new Central Support facility, purpose built to replace the UKAEA’s existing building.
With a footprint of approximately 2000m2, the new the multi-use building will have two main elements, the functional block providing workshops and engineering facilities including clean room environments, and an administration block with offices, meeting rooms and breakout spaces.
The entire scheme was developed within a BIM level 2 working environment, managed by Ridge LLP, and we were required to model all services in 3D using Revit software along with the provision of COBie data for all maintainable assets. Working in this way ensured collaboration amongst the design team, good coordination of services and a full set of asset data for the clients maintenance team.
HVAC systems included mechanical ventilation via a number of centralised air handling units and heating and cooling using air source heat pump technologies (ASHP) in combination with 4-pipe fan coil systems, high level warm air heaters, radiators and more. Electrical systems included highly efficient LED fittings with advanced controls, power distribution for general use and for client specific machinery and equipment, data, fire alarm security etc..
To ensure energy efficiency, additional measures such as natural ventilation via roof mounted wind catchers and photovoltaic (PV) panels were used. The facility further enhanced its green credentials with the installation of a number of electric vehicle chargers. All of these measures helped to achieve BREEAM excellent and an A rated EPC.