University of Bristol

The Life Sciences Building, officially opened by Sir David Attenborough, is the University of Bristol’s largest construction project to date. It brings together a diverse range of fields, including biologists, chemists, computer scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and earth scientists, and houses the largest teaching labs in the UK. The building serves as a focal point for world-leading research on 21st-century challenges such as food security and environmental conservation.

One of the most significant challenges of the project was ensuring that the building’s energy efficiency was maximized while maintaining the precise testing and research parameters required by the scientists using the facility. To address this challenge, a Building Energy Management System (BEMS) was installed. The BEMS provides close control of both heating and cooling systems through flow monitoring stations, ensuring that energy usage is optimized while maintaining the necessary environmental conditions for research. In addition, the BEMS ensures that the testing and research parameters are maintained via primary and secondary air pressure regimes, further enhancing the building’s energy efficiency.

The Life Sciences Building represents a significant step forward for the University of Bristol and the field of life sciences. With its state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge research, the building serves as a hub for collaboration and innovation, bringing together experts from diverse fields to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. The BEMS is a crucial part of this endeavour, ensuring that the building operates efficiently and sustainably, while still providing the necessary resources for ground-breaking research.