R105 Facilities Building

_{Image credit to Oxford Architects LLP}

Key Information

• Client: STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
• Contractor: Willmott Dixon Construction Ltd
• Architect: Oxford Architects
• Location: Oxfordshire

Project Overview

Adding value and removing risk from the compliance process. The R105 Facilities Support Building (FSB) enables world-leading research at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford. As well as being set into the adjoining earth mound to reduce its visual impact, the buildings curved roof compliments the surrounding beauty of the area.

Brief scope of works

The building delivers 70 x 35m of flexible clear-span usable floor space for each facility, both served by full overhead crane coverage. Vehicular service access is provided to each end of both facilities, whilst three storey offices for 80 people sit above the Test facility on the north elevation.

Working closely with the design team helped this project achieve BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standard. Navigating around the challenge, to make enough internal space available to meet the job requirements while keeping the visual impact in the surrounding countryside low, was an interesting task but a successful one.