Enterprise Centre

The University of East Anglia’s Enterprise Centre offers a view of the future: it is an education building constructed to the Passivhaus standard from locally sourced, natural materials; it targets ultra-low whole-life carbon by combining the highly energy-efficient Passivhaus standard with low-impact, low-embodied carbon materials. The building’s users describe their enjoyment of being in a beautiful, comfortable, inspiring space.

Designed as a multi-use space combining academic research and a start-up incubator, the building has been designed entirely within the context of its site, maximising daylight, occupant comfort and the use of natural materials. The architects, Architype, are amongst several practices now utilising ongoing monitoring of buildings’ performance in-use: this data provides insight into the building’s performance, informing any changes that are required whilst also providing valuable learning to take to the next project.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the Enterprise Centre’s design and construction was the aim to source materials from within the local area and adhere to vernacular design. This means the building sits well within its local environment whilst also having a very low embodied carbon footprint. The building is constructed using a timber frame and finished with materials including locally sourced timber, lime render, thatch cladding, and recycled oak and rubber. An innovative concrete mix was also used in the building’s foundation, making use of recycled sand and aggregate, and a cement replacement.