Pioneering Low-Carbon Retrofit and Circular Economy Principles
The Entopia project represents a groundbreaking low-carbon retrofit of a 1930s former telephone exchange building in the heart of Cambridge, designed for the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL). This initiative aims to create a sustainable headquarters that embodies circular economy principles while providing a vibrant space for the Canopy Incubator, fostering innovation among startups and small to medium-sized enterprises focused on sustainability.
The refurbished building will house the new CISL headquarters, offering co-working spaces for corporate partners, SMEs, and exhibition areas to showcase cutting-edge sustainable technologies. The project challenges the notion that sustainable construction is inherently more expensive, demonstrating that replicable solutions can be achieved.
Key sustainability targets include achieving BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Gold, and EnerPHit classifications, with embodied carbon levels below 300kg CO2/m², incorporation of 50 technology innovations, and using 50% bio-based materials with traceability. Situated on the busy Regent Street, the Entopia project not only emphasises sustainable practices but also addresses global challenges at the scale of a single building.
Challenges included securing world-first certifications, overcoming unknown elements in the Cambridge market, and implementing a tailored procurement strategy to engage contractors while minimising perceived risks through the use of bio-based materials in a conservation area. g that replicable solutions can be achieved.
The refurbished building will house the new CISL headquarters, offering co-working spaces for corporate partners, SMEs, and exhibition areas to showcase cutting-edge sustainable technologies. The project challenges the notion that sustainable construction is inherently more expensive, demonstrating that replicable solutions can be achieved.
Key sustainability targets include achieving BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Gold, and EnerPHit classifications, with embodied carbon levels below 300kg CO2/m², incorporation of 50 technology innovations, and using 50% bio-based materials with traceability. Situated on the busy Regent Street, the Entopia project not only emphasises sustainable practices but also addresses global challenges at the scale of a single building.
Challenges included securing world-first certifications, overcoming unknown elements in the Cambridge market, and implementing a tailored procurement strategy to engage contractors while minimising perceived risks through the use of bio-based materials in a conservation area. g that replicable solutions can be achieved.
Key sustainability targets include achieving BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Gold, and EnerPHit classifications, with embodied carbon levels below 300kg CO2/m², incorporation of 50 technology innovations, and using 50% bio-based materials with traceability. Situated on the busy Regent Street, the Entopia project not only emphasises sustainable practices but also addresses global challenges at the scale of a single building.
Challenges included securing world-first certifications, overcoming unknown elements in the Cambridge market, and implementing a tailored procurement strategy to engage contractors while minimising perceived risks through the use of bio-based materials in a conservation area.
Challenges included securing world-first certifications, overcoming unknown elements in the Cambridge market, and implementing a tailored procurement strategy to engage contractors while minimising perceived risks through the use of bio-based materials in a conservation area.