Fibre cement profiled sheeting from Marley Eternit was specified by architects the RH Partnership for the roofs at a second-generation innovation complex established by St John’s College, Cambridge University, as much for its aesthetics as its practicalities.

The sheeting gave the practice the freedom to introduce long-span roofs and avoid the potential problems of excessive drumming and movement associated with corrugated steel. In addition, the Kingfisher Blue colour reflected the blue glazing and curtain walling of the facades while the rolling ridges complemented the undulating roof forms.

RH Partnership won the limited competition with a brief for excellence in design but this had to take into account the fact that only about a third of the site, which falls within the city boundary, could initially be developed due to local planning constraints.

The £2million solution by project architect Ray Chudleigh and partner Jeremy Buckingham was a two-winged linear phased development overlooking a landscaped area that could accommodate additional future development.

The roofs are shallow, front lipped and duo-pitched over one or two units. Combined with a set-back façade and exterior walkways, these provide an immediately recognisable image from routes including the Cambridge bypass.

RH Partnership have used Marley Eternit’s fibre cement materials before but winning the St John’s competition was a significant milestone for the practice, leading to the master planning of the Innovation Park as a whole and a series of buildings for spin-off companies as well as a Civic Trust commendation.

This has been complemented with a Beta Award Commendation for a heat recovery system at one of the units and a RICS Efficient Building Award for another which pioneered many low-energy systems now commonly proposed for sustainable schemes.

Ray Chudleigh said: “The design had to hit the right quality and image for an innovation park landmark building and the Marley Eternit profiled sheeting is integral to its form.

“It picks up on the blue glazing and curtain walling and is strong but not harsh as metal profiled roofing would be. The fibre cement substrate does not allow the excessive drumming or movement which is also typical with metal. The client is also happy that it hasn’t leaked!”

Email: tracy@tlcpr.co.uk