Crest Nicholson - Leisure Development - Camberley, The Atruim
Date: 10 Jul 2008
Work has started on the installation of a high-tech, environmentally friendly atrium roof at Camberley's new £130 million mixed-use town centre scheme, The Atrium.
The dramatic roof is made up of clear bubbles of Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), a state-of-the-art material which is very light but also incredibly strong - strong enough to support the weight of a family car (although with a 680 space car park being built as part of The Atrium no-one should need to go that far to find somewhere to park).
ETFE is already used in some of the most innovative developments in the world, including Cornwall's Eden Project, Beijing's National Aquatics Centre and
Heathrow Terminal 5. And now it's Camberley's turn.
The roof will provide a key focal point in the shopping and leisure centre, covering the central atrium area at the main entrance to the scheme from Park Street and creating an 'outdoor' continental-style eating area, but inside. The Atrium's
restaurants - which will include Café Rouge, Prezzo, Wagamama's and Frankie & Benny's - will have seating areas that will provide an outdoor feeling but have the benefit of weather protection, making them attractive and useable all year round.
ETFE's environmental credentials start with its weight. Much lighter than conventional glazing - while still providing the same amount of light - the cost to the environment of the supporting steel structure is considerably reduced.
The roof also allows the public areas to be naturally ventilated, reducing the need for environmentally unfriendly air-conditioning. However, customer comfort is assured by a rooftop vent that will regulate the temperature inside The Atrium through a heat exchange system that draws indoor heat out and allows cooler outdoor air in as required.
Large glazed areas often have problems of excessive heat gain on sunny days. To address this, ETFE membranes held within the bubbles have different degrees of density. This will control the amount of sunlight that is let into The Atrium to ensure that it is always at the optimum level.
The ETFE membrane is also self-cleaning. The friction coefficient of the material is small, so dust does not easily attach itself to the structure and, even when it does collect, the surface is self-washed using rain water.
Mike Hannigan, Investment Director at Standard Life Investments, said: "We were very impressed when we first saw the designs for the atrium roof, it gives
the scheme real character. Indeed, we liked it so much that we named the whole development after it. But, it is not just about looks. Using ETFE has many
sustainability benefits. As responsible landlords, we are keen to minimise the environmental impact of all the buildings we own - both in terms of the way they are designed and built and the way in which we manage them. We are delighted that we have been able to introduce this kind of cutting-edge technology in Camberley."
Martin Mortimer, Development Director at Crest Nicholson Regeneration, said: "The installation of the ETFE roof is a very important milestone completion of the project later this year. With the roof being installed, you can now get a far better
picture of the spectacular light and airy spaces that will be created. It is also a clear demonstration of Crest's long standing commitment to environmentally friendly solutions to developments of this nature, using the very latest technology and employing best practice design and construction techniques to create a venue that the people of Camberley will enjoy and be proud of when it opens and in the future."
The Atrium, Camberley
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