The University wanted something unusual, especially in the entrance where a three-storey atrium welcomes visitors with the unique ceiling arrangement created using four SunCatchers installed as pairs in two specially designed housings. The SunCatchers, which provide energy-free natural daylight and natural ventilation for the three-storey atrium, consist of 3m square Windcatcher natural ventilation units with centrally mounted SunPipes whose 1.5 metre diameter domes, the largest ever produced by Monodraught. The SunCatchers also offer free night-time cooling that purges the atrium area of stale warm air; they totally eliminated glare, solar gain, and cleaning and maintenance; and they are energy-free in operation. This met the university's brief that all of its buildings should achieve and maintain the highest levels of energy efficiency and environmental responsibility to minimise the energy consumption of the campus.
James Goodfellow of Make says Monodraught's design team was extremely enthusiastic about the project and keen to work with Make to meet the exacting specification by developing the SunCatchers in bespoke and innovative ways.
