Brooklands Workplace Campus, designed by Allies and Morrison, represents a groundbreaking achievement in sustainable commercial architecture as Cambridge's first major Net Zero Carbon office building. Located in central Cambridge, United Kingdom, this innovative development comprises 6,000 square meters of flexible workspace distributed across two buildings (B1 and B2) arranged around a central courtyard garden and connected by an elegant colonnade.
The project addresses a significant gap in Cambridge's workspace market by delivering high-quality office space while simultaneously offering sustainable, characterful buildings that contribute meaningfully to the city's architectural landscape. Building B1 covers 1,058 square meters, while the larger B2 encompasses 8,718 square meters, together forming a cohesive campus environment that promotes both productivity and environmental responsibility.
The development has achieved exceptional environmental credentials, earning an EPC A rating, BREEAM Excellent certification, and ActiveScore Platinum status. Most notably, the campus achieves Net Zero Carbon status through operational net zero carbon emissions facilitated by on-site renewable energy generation, setting a new standard for sustainable office development in the region.
Brooklands aligns closely with the UK government's strategic growth agenda for Cambridge and its ambitious plans to boost the knowledge economy. The project demonstrates that growth in Cambridge is not limited to expanding the city's peripheral areas but can also involve optimizing existing urban sites and bringing underused locations to life in both sustainable and contextually sensitive ways.
The architectural design features a thoughtful integration of materials including wood, steel, and brick, creating buildings that are both contemporary and respectful of Cambridge's historic character. The central courtyard garden serves as the heart of the campus, providing a natural focal point that enhances the working environment and promotes well-being among occupants.
The project team included several distinguished firms: Ramboll served as the structural engineer and provided Studio Dreiseitl services, Couch Perry Wilkes handled both MEP systems and sustainability consulting, Barton Willmore contributed landscape design and design planning services, Stace served as quantity surveyor, SLR Consulting managed transport planning, MKA Ecology provided ecological expertise, and Hoare Lea offered fire consulting services. The main contractor for the project was SDC.
This innovative workplace campus demonstrates how thoughtful design and sustainable technology can create office environments that not only meet the demanding needs of modern businesses but also contribute positively to urban regeneration and environmental goals. By filling a crucial gap in Cambridge's commercial real estate market, Brooklands establishes a new benchmark for future office developments in one of the UK's most important knowledge economy hubs.
