70 COCKSEDGE BUILDING CONTRACTORS- GONVILLE & CAIUS COLLEGE DECARBONISATION
The ASHPs on top of the Murray Easton Building at Gonville & Caius College, with Great St Mary’ s( the University of Cambridge church) behind( credit: Adrian Bishop / Cocksedge / Gonville & Caius College
COCKSEDGE BUILDING CONTRACTORS- GONVILLE & CAIUS COLLEGE DECARBONISATION
Cocksedge Building Contractors is delivering a major decarbonisation programme at Gonville & Caius College, combining advanced low-carbon technology with sensitive conservation work across one of Cambridge’ s most historic college estates.
Few construction projects present the challenge of introducing cutting-edge energy infrastructure into buildings that have stood for centuries. At Gonville & Caius College, Cocksedge Building Contractors is undertaking exactly that task, delivering a complex decarbonisation programme that will significantly reduce the College’ s reliance on fossil fuels while protecting the architectural character of its historic estate.
The project centres on the College’ s Old Courts and St Michael’ s Court, where new air source heat pump technology is replacing traditional gas-fired heating systems. The scheme forms part of the College’ s long-term sustainability strategy and has been developed to reduce operational carbon emissions while preserving the significance of Grade I and Grade II listed buildings at the heart of Cambridge.
Cocksedge was selected as construction partner to deliver the technically demanding programme, working alongside RHP as architect, Ridge as technical consultant and AFP as structural engineer. Munro are the mechanical and electrical services provider. The project requires close coordination between heritage specialists, engineers and construction teams to integrate modern building services into structures with centuries of architectural history.
One of the defining engineering challenges has been the installation of three large air source heat pumps on the roof of the Murray Easton Building, overlooking Cambridge’ s busy Market Hill. Following extensive architectural and structural design work, the building was identified as the most suitable location for the equipment while minimising the impact on the surrounding historic environment.
The installation itself represented a significant construction milestone. Each heat pump weighs approximately seven tonnes and was lifted into position using a large mobile crane during a night-time operation, carefully timed to reduce disruption within the city centre. The successful lift marked one of the most visible stages of the programme and required detailed planning involving road management, crane operations and specialist lifting teams.
Once operational, the heat pumps will supply heating and hot water to the College’ s Old Courts and St Michael’ s Court through a new network of mechanical services and underground pipework, which crosses Trinity Street. Future phases of the project are intended to extend renewable heating to additional parts of the College estate, supporting a gradual transition away from gas-fired systems.
Alongside the new heating infrastructure, the programme includes upgrades to insulation and wider energy-efficiency improvements designed to reduce heat demand across the historic buildings. By improving both the generation and conservation of energy, the project seeks to achieve meaningful carbon reductions while maintaining the fabric of the listed estate.
Delivering the works within a live residential and office environment has added another layer of complexity. Construction activities have been carefully phased around day-to-day college operations, with much of the work taking place within occupied buildings and heavily used public spaces in the centre of Cambridge. Following completion of the major structural and lifting operations, the project has
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