The Scott Brownrigg-designed headquarters for the international not-for-profit organisation CABI has been highly commended at Future Cities Forum 2021 Summer Awards. Nominated for the ‘Science Cities’ category, the judges were looking for innovative design, integration with communities and how the projects added to their host cities.

Future Cities Forum selected three separate projects across seven categories: master planning, science buildings and R&D campus design, new housing projects, infrastructure / infrastructure-related development, cultural buildings, Net Zero planning and energy, and Future High Streets, judged by a high experienced all female panel. Find out more here.

CABI apply scientific expertise to solve problems in agriculture and the environment. Scott Brownrigg worked alongside Project Managers and Lead Consultant Ridge and Partners LLP (Ridge) to complete the low energy design that offers a two-storey office space and successfully integrates an experimental bio-diverse landscape with a new collaborative flexible working environment.

Situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the building responds to its surroundings with a living roof, which will attract insects and birds and enhance biodiversity. Inside, it hosts up to 180 members of staff, who are provided with a range of amenities including a café restaurant, meeting rooms and conference room / auditorium.

At the heart of this project is CABI’s commitment to protecting the environment. The design is highly energy efficient with detailed strategies for materials, orientation and structures. The design includes a careful selection of materials for the building fabric, which reduce the energy consumption to achieve low carbon use in operation.