Eurobond Rainspan was specified as the structural support system for the Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC), the second building to form part of the university's evolving Innovation Campus.
At a total cost of £44m, CUBRIC is one of Europe's flagship facilities, bringing together brain-mapping expertise and the very latest in brain imaging. Work done at the centre will help improve understanding of conditions such as dementia, schizophrenia, and multiple sclerosis. The new 6,500m2 building improves opportunities for collaboration, offering a spacious and sustainable research environment with four world-class scanners under one roof.
A key objective in terms of design and functionality of the building was future proofing. The university also wanted the building to be sensitive to the local environment by adopting many energy-efficient features, targeting a BREEAM excellent rating.
It was important to the university and the local authority that the new building integrated seamlessly with the existing Hadyn Ellis building and wider area to create a harmonious campus.
The high tech MRI scanners used in the research weigh up to 40 tonnes, so the building had to be designed to allow potential installation of any future equipment.
The extensive size of the project meant that a watertight building envelope was needed early on in building programme, to remove the façade installation from the critical path.
Eurobond Rainspan was specified as the perfect structural support for the rainscreen system, combining ease and speed of installation with flexibility in terms of design and appearance.
The exterior finish includes a terracotta architectural façade system, which provides the visual impact of a modern façade. The same approach was successfully applied to the Hadyn Ellis building, ensuring each centre would contribute to a consistent campus atmosphere.
Eurobond Rainspan composite panels achieve a low environmental impact while delivering excellent thermal performance, and the high recycled content positively supports the university's environmental aims and assessments.