Work on the new roof-top extension at the Department of Plant Sciences, on the Downing Site in central Cambridge, has reached an exciting stage, as the highest point of the building has been completed.

To celebrate, a traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony was held yesterday on the new roof of the four-storey building when more than 50 people gathered including college fellows, university staff, benefactors and representatives from main contractor Haymills and other members of the project team.

The £4.7 million refurbishment and extension project, designed by Cambridge-based architects RH Partnership, will provide research facilities for the Plant Sciences teams headed by Professor David Baulcombe, the University Professor of Botany, Dr Alex Webb and Dr Julia Davies.

Guests were welcomed by speeches from Professor Baulcombe, Micheal Bienias, the University’s Director of Estate Management and Steve Firman, Director of Haymills.

The facility, on the second and third floors of the building, comprises an open plan laboratory, equipment rooms, darkroom, write-up space, server room, computer laboratories and offices.

The enabling works required the erection of a considerable amount of scaffolding on both sides of the building plus a roof top enclosure with openable sliding roof sections through which materials were delivered via the tower access crane.

The roof support scaffolding was specially designed to allow the site team to travel between the floors externally without disturbing the occupants of the building.

The roof top enclosure allowed work to continue in all weathers and was of considerable advantage in maintaining a very tight programme.

As part of the enabling works the existing roof-mounted mechanical plant had to be removed or re-located.

A particular challenge has been that the floors beneath the construction works have remained occupied and fully operational throughout the entire construction programme.

Following site preparations and strengthening work to both walls and flooring, the new steel frame was installed creating the shell for the new floor.

The timber frame, external walls and block infill works are currently taking shape - with particular attention to high quality detail and finishing. Extensive mechanical, electrical, ventilation and plumbing works also continue at pace.

The building is in a conservation area so all materials have been specifically selected to reflect the original features, including the lead and tile roof coverings, metal windows, and roof top dormer windows to satisfy the requirements of the City Council Planners.

 

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