Egalitarian tech hub builds new campus to reflect ethos
Nestled in the rural landscape of Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, product and technology consultants, TTP plc wanted a new campus that reflected their collaborative ethos and dedication to innovation.
Architect: Sheppard Robson
Main Contractor: SDC
Specialist contractor: MTW Architectural Limited
Photo credits: Hufton + Crow Photography
Products: FWS 60 curtain walling, ADS 70 HD (Heavy Duty) doors, ADS 70 HD structurally bonded doors
The company takes on a vast range of projects, with over three hundred scientists, engineers and product specialists producing solutions to different problems. The varied requirements demanded a flexible space to adapt to the changing needs of the work. TTP prides itself on its non-hierarchical working structure and requested that the new campus reflect these values.
Designed by Sheppard Robson, the solution divides the campus into three primary buildings, each optimised to address a specific aspect of the brief. Schüco curtain walling and door systems, manufactured and installed by MTW Architectural Limited, were specified to help achieve the architect’s vision.
Aesthetically the antithesis to the Hive, the Exchange is a circular pavilion providing a space for rest and rejuvenation. This communal hub features a restaurant and gym, as well as agile working, event, and social space. To enhance the openness the building is designed to encourage, floor-to-ceiling glazing floods the space with natural light. Its circular design provides wide views of the outdoors, allowing occupants to feel connected to the surrounding landscape.
Lastly, the Tech Barn houses world-class facilities specially designed for large-scale projects. The two-storey building houses a laser lab suite, an advanced manufacturing area, and advanced bio labs.
The design team selected high-quality solutions to create the high-spec facility, and specifically systems that were flexible, in order to meet the unique requirements of the project. Matthew Parkes, Associate Partner at Sheppard Robson explained that Schüco curtain walling was the obvious choice:
“We like to work with Schüco because of its high-quality, flexible solutions and fantastic technical support, especially in terms of initial advice. They’re always on hand to help. Working closely with Schüco and MTW Architectural Limited enabled us to adapt the systems perfectly to achieve our design.”
One of the main challenges of the project was tailoring the façades to the different buildings, such as fitting the rectilinear Schüco curtain walling systems seamlessly within an expressed in-situ concrete frame on the Hive.
The Exchange presented its own challenge due to its circular geometry. To address this, the design employed faceted Schüco curtain walling, externally capped to break the external glass-to-glass angled junction. Careful coordination between the architect and contractor was required to deliver the high-tech integrated façade.
The flexibility of the Schüco FWS 60 curtain walling system meant it could be adapted to fit the different building arrangements, giving the overall project a cohesive aesthetic.
Minimising solar gain was also a key consideration for the development. Raising the banks of the wildflower meadow and starting the glazing at desk height in the Hive helps to reduce the solar gain, while still flooding the space with natural light and allowing beautiful views of the wildflowers.
On both the Hive and the Exchange, external shading was incorporated to further mitigate the solar gain. The depth of the shading fins varies based on the orientation of the buildings, with the south sides more heavily shaded.
The impressive development has earned admiration beyond those working on the campus and received the Major Project award at the Schüco Excellence Awards 2024. The innovative project has provided a fitting home for TTP, who are extremely pleased with their new space.
TTP Campus - Excellence Awards Winner
Photos by Hufton + Crow Photography
