University of Sheffield, Diamond Building

The University of Sheffield’s recently opened the Diamond building and it represents their largest ever investment in teaching and learning.

The 19,500m2 facility, home to engineering graduates, has an aluminium diamond shaped
facade exterior. Inside, the six-storey Diamond boasts specialist teaching facilities that include 19 laboratories, an aerospace simulation lab, lecture theatres, seminar rooms, open-plan learning spaces, library and IT services. The Diamond’s computing area offers 1,000 study spaces available 24/7 for staff and students.

Where occupancy densities and therefore minimum fresh air requirements are high, such as for those Meeting/Breakout Rooms, the Halton CBS beam can meet this need. For example, Halton CB-06, an 1800mm long Halton CBS, is designed to deliver 80l/s of primary/fresh air into the space whilst still meeting those desired acoustic and thermal comfort requirements of the user.

The Diamond, designed as a “smart” building, provides detailed control of energy management. For example, as the chilled beam system operates with an entering water temperature of 15ºC “smart” control help’s deliver significant “free-cooling”. By employing air cooling of the chilled water rather than vapour compression, when external ambients are low enough, significant energy savings are achieved.