Steel-framed expansion at Cambridge technology park

Computer technology company Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) is expanding its Cambridge headquarters at Peterhouse Technology Park, with the construction of new steel-framed buildings.

Working on behalf of main contractor Kier, Caunton Engineering is fabricating, supplying and erecting 1,500t of steel for a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ building that will increase ARM’s onsite office space from 16,500m² to 35,000m².

The structural steelwork consists mainly of a beam and column framework with a high proportion of cellular beams, for two linked buildings each three storeys high.

ARM is one of Cambridge’s success stories, founded 1978 as Acorn Computers. In 1990, ARM was created when Acorn and Apple started collaborating on the ARM processor. Today, it is a £15bn FTSE 100 company and its processors are at the heart of the world’s most advanced digital products.

The company employs 1,500 in Cambridge, with 1,300 based at the Peterhouse Technology Park. This £15M private investment into Cambridge will allow the company to meet its growth aspirations, maintaining and creating up to 3,500 jobs in the city over the next decade.

Andrew Derry, Development Director of LaSalle, the owner of Peterhouse Technology Park, said: “ARM makes a significant contribution to the local economy and we are pleased that the company remained committed to Peterhouse when it chose to more than double the footprint of its global headquarters.

“We have worked closely with ARM to develop plans that not only suit the tenant’s new requirements, but add significant long-term value to this important technology hub.’