Design process

The William Gates building is the result of an architectural competition held in 1998. A two-stage procurement route encouraged a creative dialogue between RMJM and the construction team, and RMJM say that a number of initiatives emerged which helped them to develop the design concept both in cost and environmental terms.

RMJM had to work within an existing masterplan (by MacCormac Jamieson Prichard) for the West Cambridge site and set guidelines for landscape materials and lighting. Local planning interests set the height restrictions, sightlines, calling for high quality design. In response, the site was planted with indigenous trees formally arranged to reinforce the masterplan.

The brief for the project essentially provided two challenges to the architects. First it demanded a low-energy solution, and secondly there was a requirement to accommodate highly specialist computer equipment in the building and yet ensure that it was flexible enough to adapt to possible long-term changes in use. RMJM's approach was to develop a super-insulated building envelope, within which artificial heating and cooling systems could be minimised. This gave the design team the opportunity to omit the heating system serving research offices, relying instead upon the heat emitted from occupants, computer equipment and lighting to warm the building in winter. The benefit in summer is that heat can be kept out, so the cooling provided by chilled beams is kept to a minimum and free cooling is utilised for much of the season. The building is expected to consume about half the consumption of many contemporary buildings, a point noted by the judges who gave it an RIBA Award in 2001. Indeed, although not needed with the current ventilation strategy, opening windows are provided to allow future use of simple natural ventilation.

Design commenced in 1998, and construction in February 2000. The building was completed in June 2001, and occupied from August 2001.