NFTP Hub
Culham, Oxfordshire
A new research and innovation hub for UKAEA providing modern, flexible facilities for some of the world’s most cutting-edge technologies.
Culham, Oxfordshire
UKAEA Combined Office Building
United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
The new 7,500 square metres facility houses approximately 600 staff in an energy efficient building comprising two separate wings linked by a combined reception, atrium core and conference facility and served by a 2no. new car parking hubs.
The building massing is arranged in a simple “L” shape form to provide clear flexible office wings with dual aspects, anchored around a centralised core serving both wings. The main building entrance has been pushed back away from the immediate roadside to activate the landscape and force building users through a newly provided external plaza space. With an increase in foot traffic through the space, a bustling plaza type environment is promoted with further opportunities for informal crossover of colleagues, casuals chats between meetings or a sunny spot to grab a coffee outside, aligning with the project vision for celebrating collaboration.
Key Information
7500
square meters
600
staff
Two
new parking hubs
Four
storeys
The prominent, four-storey building accommodates teams from the UKAEA STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme together with UKAEA management and operations teams and delivers:
- Approximately 7,500 sqm of flexible, BCO-compliant, open plan office accommodation, split into two volumes to allow flexibility and security to suit internal team requirements.
- A main entrance lobby and building reception.
- A feature, full height atrium connecting all four floors, with coffee bar facilities and collaboration space including a bleacher staircase.
- A canteen with kitchen and servery.
- A range of meeting and conference facilities.
- Agile working environments and breakout space to encourage productive collaboration and communication.
- Welfare and ancillary accommodation including BREEAM compliant cyclist facilities.
- A new landscaped plaza and external terrace space for general use by campus staff.
Our design was developed in response to the specific requirements of the teams who will occupy the building, and their individual needs. These requirements were established through extensive stakeholder meetings, brief analysis and development with the client team and stakeholders.
In addition to the development of the brief, the design takes into account the detailed analysis of the site, and specific challenges associated with providing a building which works with the site and associated infrastructure now but also aligns with the emerging masterplan development aspirations for the future.
- Efficiency — A building that is lean and efficient in terms of usability and in its use of materials and constructability
- Adaptability & flexibility — A flexible, agile office environment that can be easily modified according to future needs and conditions
- Identity — A sense of identity for the site and wider context through a flagship building, which improves the existing environment and is commensurate with the industry leading research undertaken within
- Wellness — A better human-centred built environment which promotes wellbeing for its users
- Innovation — A physical environment that celebrates forward thinking in both the built form and also the spaces within; to encourage productive collisions and collaboration that fosters innovation
- Sustainability — A building that aligns with UKAEA’s sustainability aspirations
The centre of the building features a full height atrium that floods the space with natural daylight. It features a tiered bleacher stair seating on the ground floor offering an amphitheatre type environment for the sharing of knowledge, perfect for informal talks and presentations. This then links to the main circulation piece that connects to the floors above. Pockets of break out spaces are arranged around the atrium in this central hub with the perimeter of the space occupied by conference and meeting rooms. Wrapping stairs are arranged in the atrium to connect to the other floors. Using a variety of furniture types; sofas, soft seating, small working tables and stools, small hives of activity are facilitated that allow for flexible working styles and create an inviting space for various activities. The atrium area is designed to promote social interaction; an active space for welcoming visitors, hosting small informal meetings or a simply a place to sit and take a break away from the desk. Placed within the ground floor atrium area, a coffee bar is provided along with opportunities for display space that can be used for presenting projects or to showcase brand identity.
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