University of St Andrews Building 1 and Colin Vincent Centre for Battery Technology

Refurbishment of an old finished goods store built in 1887 into a state-of-the-art work space and a new standalone laboratory for the students as part of Eden Campus in the University of St Andrews. The project includes the Colin Vincent Centre for Battery Technology, a world leader in the production of commercial-scale batteries and is a showcase for research in the vanguard of new battery chemistries at St Andrews.

Building 1 is a multi-use space with a range of facilities for researchers developing small-scale prototypes, dedicated lab spaces and engineering workshops, meant it was imperative for Atelier Ten to understand the key requirements of each individual space within in the building. Therefore, Atelier Ten developed the concept design for Building 1 and the Dry Laboratory Building, at the Eden Campus with a view to delivering a low energy, healthy and vibrant building for all stakeholders.

One of the most important aspects within the project is the ventilation systems. Rooms such as the X-Genix lab is ventilated via a dedicated Heat Recovery Unit (HRU) with integral Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP). From the HRU ducting distributes fresh air to serve ceiling mounted diffusers. The area also encompasses Fume Cupboards. Consideration was given to make up air requirements. The Coater room is served by an AHU with integral ASHP. The fresh air is distributed via ducting and ceiling mounted diffusers. Fresh and extract air are based upon local LEV flow rates from a Coater machine. Special consideration has been given to products being extracted from the Coater machine and fire strategy of the building to provide a safe work environment for the students. All of the above has involved consideration of environmental engineering strategies, equipment selection and maintenance regimes, recognising the key drivers and requirements with the University of St Andrews Engineering Specification.

The Colin Vincent Centre for Battery Technology will power the next generation of batteries and energy storage through its state-of-the-art facilities such as its ultra-low humidity environment, the first of its kind in Scotland. It is a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship that will provide new solutions to current energy problems, solutions which are essential to achieving a sustainable, low-carbon future, as well as to enabling the wider economic transformation of Scotland and the UK.