The relocation of Civil Engineering activity to West Cambridge is an important first step in the Department’s ‘Move West’ strategy, and the building has been included in the ‘Inset’ Masterplan developed by Grimshaw Architects, and incorporated into the University’s Masterplan for the West Cambridge site.

Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the Civil Engineering Building incorporates a number of pioneering and innovative aspects including an energy/cost metric to minimise energy usage, design for deconstruction, the installation of building sensors and elements of innovative concrete. Using BIM level 2, the design maximised the input from the design and contractor (SDC) to team to ensure on programme and on budget delivery. Project and Cost Management was provided by AECOM. In addition, Max Fordham pioneered the use of the University’s Energy Cost Metric in the scheme ensuring consideration for carbon was at the heart of the design.

The building accommodates a mixture of research, testing, training and collaborative spaces for the UKCRIC requirement alongside the majority of the Civil Engineering Division. A wide range of workshops and labs will be provided for smart construction, structures testing, façade engineering and geo-mechanics.