In 2005, a devastating fire destroyed one of Southampton University’s most acclaimed research facilities. Thankfully no-one was hurt, but the risk of losing renowned academics drove an urgency to rebuild. This was the genesis of the Mountbatten Building; a state-of-the-art nanotechnology research centre reuniting Electronics and Computer Science with the Optoelectronics Research Centre within 36 months of the blaze.

 

The ravaged site was unlocked with an ingenious stacked section, freeing up space for a generous public square and dramatic entrance atrium linking the neighbouring Zepler Building. Specialist cleanrooms sit at grade to isolate vibration, offering glimpses of advanced technology within. Laboratories flank centralised air handling above, with an adjoining structure sheltering primary utilities. This compact arrangement improves energy efficiency by shortening the path of conditioned air.

 

In fact, the building consumes less than half the energy of a typical research facility. Naturally ventilated office wings perch above the hi-tech plinth, facing each other across a biodiverse garden. Workspaces are cooled utilising night-time air purge and recycled chilled water pumped through underfloor pipes. An absorption chiller connects to the district heating network, converting steam into the refrigerant that cools the labs.

 

These functional components are clearly articulated architecturally. The plinth is sheathed in frameless glass printed with chiral fractals, a labyrinthine geometry used in optical metamaterials developed by the scientists themselves. The more industrial utility wing is expressed in metallic panels overlaid with a perforated screen. Offices clad in anthracite metal form a bold cantilever announcing arrival at the University.