KJ Tait were commissioned as part of Corde Ltd, an integrated design company formed by ADP Architects, KJ Tait and AKS Ward Structural and Civil Engineers, to develop the brief for this new build Community Centre.

Clay Farm is a mixed use scheme funded by Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge Police and Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association. The £10M development serves the South of Cambridge and is designed to be a community hub to draw new residents to the area.

The scheme comprises a community centre with a café, a youth wing with games area, band and DJ room and space for craft activities. The development also houses a public library, health centre and residential accommodation comprising 20 flats for key workers.

The building uses passive natural ventilation and integrates combined heat and power and solar PV technologies to achieve the minimal carbon footprint required for the building to gain a BREEAM Excellent rating.

The design was undertaken with a single coordinated BIM model, energy modelling was carried out to model thermal, carbon consumption and compliance. This model also assisted in the complex coordination exercise of this multi-use facility.

PVs were installed and heat recovery ventilation was installed throughout to ensure good fresh air levels were achieved.