University of Cambridge: The Hauser Forum

The Hauser Forum, named after the building's alumni sponsor, is located on the University's West Cambridge technology campus. This new campus lying on greenbelt land to the west of the city is seen as key to the successful future of the University and houses a number of forward-thinking departments including the Departments of Nanotechnology and Physics for Medicine.

The Hauser Forum forms a new gateway to the campus and provides office and research facilities for small start up companies developing spin-off technology from other scientific research programmes within the University.

It consists of three key elements – a 2,400m² incubator building, a 5,000m² Research and Development building and a large café space. The café offers a facility for academics and visitors from across the campus and encourages the exchange of ideas across disciplines in a social and relaxed atmosphere. The image of the Hauser Forum as a place to meet and interact is reinforced by a large oversailing canopy which unites the building elements and shelters a public plaza below.

The development is naturally ventilated and achieved a BREEAM Excellent rating. It incorporates many environmental features including extensive sunshading to glazed areas to minimise solar gain, the incorporation of a labyrinth below the building to pre-cool incoming air, ground source heat pumps and an attenuation pond and reed beds to filter run-off water.