We have been awarded Low Carbon Project of the Year at the 2025 OxProp Fest Awards for our work on the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) new Gateway Building and Innovation Centre at Culham. This project is more than just an entrance – it is a statement of intent for the future of energy.

A gateway to the future of energy

UKAEA is at the forefront of fusion energy research – a technology with the potential to deliver a virtually limitless supply of low-carbon electricity to the national grid. Their mission is to make fusion a viable energy source, helping the UK lead the way in sustainable energy solutions. 

To reflect this ambition, the new Gateway Building and Innovation Centre needed to do more than provide security and visitor facilities. It had to embody UKAEA’s values of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration. 

Our role

A multidisciplinary team of experts from Ridge assembled to solve the challenges of delivering an innovative Net Zero building on a highly secure site. Our services included architectural design, structural, mechanical, electrical and civil engineering, cost management, and sustainability consultancy. 

The result is a low-carbon gateway building and innovation centre, enhanced security and visitor education spaces, and new access roads, pedestrian facilities, public transport links and car parking. The infrastructure was carefully aligned with County Council bypass requirements, ensuring seamless integration with wider transport improvements. 

Sustainability at the core

From the outset, sustainability drove every decision. The project targeted BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and incorporated a fabric-first approach to reduce operational energy demand. Air source heat pumps and natural ventilation strategies were implemented, alongside future-ready infrastructure for solar PV. 

The use of CLT/Glulam and modern methods of construction reduced embodied carbon and accelerated delivery, while rigorous cost assessments ensured value without compromising quality. 

Design inspired by science

The circular pavilion design takes inspiration from the tokamak – the device at the heart of fusion research. This subtle nod to UKAEA’s groundbreaking work creates a strong architectural identity while meeting stringent security and operational requirements. 

As UKAEA’s mission is to provide abundant, low-carbon energy across the world, any development on one of its sites must of course surpass its own rigorous standards. We’re delighted to have played a part in supporting UKAEA’s mission and to see this project recognised for its sustainability and design innovation. Congratulations to everyone involved!

 

Liz Sparrow, Architecture Partner at Ridge and project lead