Foundations laid for low carbon economy

A new £2.6M resources centre in Cambridge will help speed up growth of the low carbon economy in the east of England.

Currently under construction, the steel frame for the building was erected by H Young Structures working on behalf of main contractor Kier Marriott.

Known as SmartLIFE Low Carbon, the project is a joint venture between Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridge Regional College. It forms part of a much larger scheme called The Hive, which will eventually include an enterprise park and eco-homes.

Pick Everard project architect Eelin Loo said: “SmartLIFE Low Carbon has been designed to be a low impact and highly energy efficient building. Solar thermal water heating, highly efficient heat recovery systems, rainwater harvesting, solar shading, photovoltaic arrays for electricity generation and automated lighting are being installed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.”