Nexus, University of Leeds

The building has been arranged as an open ground and first floor with more private and insular incubation offices and laboratories above.
A triple height atrium provides a focus for collaboration and connects both lower floors via a wide accommodation stair whilst providing a high quality, innovative, business-facing gateway.

A modular floor grid arrangement was developed for building flexibility and future adaptability. This allows Category 2 containment level laboratories and incubator offices to be reconfigured to meet changing tenant needs. The structure and services are functional, controllable, flexible and energy efficient to meet the changing requirements of the facility and the different occupants.

The University of Leeds has steam and LTHW district heating networks. We investigated which network would be most suitable for this project. The majority of occupied spaces require heating and cooling due to the expected heat losses and gains. To promote flexibility of use, air source heat pump VRV systems complete with heat recovery has been provided, providing the facility with simultaneous heating and cooling capability.

An air cooled chiller has also been utilised to provide tempered fresh air via the air handling plant during the summer months. With the exception of the atrium and adjoining spaces, the building will be sealed and ventilated via central mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems.