Babraham Research Campus

Working closely with the campus and community stakeholders since 2003, NORR developed the master plan and delivered a series of complex R&D buildings on time and on budget. The buildings had to meet highly technical criteria for multiple end users, yet have optimum flexibility and adaptability for ever-evolving needs. A major consideration for commercial viability was to reduce running costs while meeting the specific environmental requirements of the various labs. Also, since the campus is partly a conservation area with historical buildings, there is a restriction on new-build heights. This led to a design strategy of putting plant rooms beneath the roof forms to create three stories within what is really two-story buildings. By adhering to the original master plan, visual continuity across the campus was maintained, while achieving a distinct identity for each building.