Enterprise Centre
- Location
- Norwich, UK
- Client
- University of East Anglia
- Expertise
- Acoustics
- Building Services Engineering
- Civil & Structural Engineering
- Inclusive Design
- Sustainability
- Completion
- 2015
- Cost
- £16m
The Enterprise Centre at the University of East Anglia was born out of a vision to redefine sustainable engineering, setting a new standard for low-carbon buildings in the UK. From its inception, the project aimed not just to meet but to exceed the university’s established benchmarks for energy efficiency. The result is a building that has achieved both Passivhaus certification and a BREEAM Outstanding rating, with an impressive score of 90.8%.
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The Enterprise Centre serves as a dynamic hub, offering flexible spaces for SMEs in the low-carbon sector, alongside cutting-edge teaching and learning facilities for the university, including a 300-seat lecture theatre. This collaborative environment was made possible through funding from the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund, the University of East Anglia, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBRSC), Norwich Research Park (NRP), and the Building Research Establishment (BRE).
Innovation was at the heart of the Enterprise Centre’s engineering design. Engineered for a 100 year lifespan, the building pioneers the use of low embodied carbon materials, sourcing locally to minimise environmental impact while preserving traditional skills and invigorating the local economy. Timber from Thetford Forest, Norfolk straw for groundbreaking prefabricated thatch panels, and other low carbon materials like wood wool internal cladding, sonaspray ceiling treatments, and flint were carefully selected. The design integrates passive strategies with an optimised façade that expertly balances daylight and solar gain, while the intelligently controlled, low energy lighting and a mixed-mode ventilation strategy ensure comfort and efficiency.
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“Probably the UK’s greenest commercial building, it has set the benchmark high for future sustainable development across the globe.”
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The impact of the Enterprise Centre extends far beyond its physical presence. As a multi-award-winning building, it has consistently achieved EPC A ratings and was prominently showcased at COP26 as one of the world’s most sustainable buildings. The building’s success is reinforced by a rigorous three-year Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE), confirming that it delivers on its ambitious goals. The Enterprise Centre is a bold statement of what is possible in sustainable building design, leaving a lasting impact on both the local community and the global stage.