Brunel University – Wilfred Brown Building
year 2017
category Universities
client Brunel University
location Uxbridge, London
project value £14M




The original 3-storey building was constructed in 1966 and was extended in the 1970’s and again between 1990 and 1995. The refurbishment of this 3700m² building includes replacement of the building envelope, the M&E services installations and remodelling of the interior.
Project Summary
The building will achieve a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating including >36% of the un-weighted energy credits through:
- Effective use of passive, internal climate moderating, design features
- Natural ventilation to maintain comfortable temperature conditions and air quality
- Mixed mode ventilation in those spaces which can not be treated by natural means alone
- Good day lighting in perimeter spaces
- Exposed concrete surfaces in the occupied spaces, acting as a heat sink in summer
- Night time ventilation/cooling
- Effective shading, by careful design of the façade and selection of appropriate glazing
- The building envelope will be replaced with new, specified with much improved u-values. The building will be highly air-tight, preventing uncontrolled and wasteful air infiltration.
Thermal energy will be delivered to the building by:
- A single ground source heat pump
- A wood burning biomass boiler
- High-efficiency gas-fired condensing boilers
Electrical Energy will be provided by:
- Grid derived electricity
- Roof mounted solar photo-voltaic (PV) panels
- Building integrated PV



