Biology centre uses own walls to control temperature

The Centre for Mechanochemical Cell Biology at the University of Warwick is one of the few buildings in the UK to use its own walls to provide heating and cooling.The facility, built by contractor Stepnell, includes phase change material in its walls that absorbs heat from humans and equipment in the labs during the day and gives it off at night to keep an even temperature in the building - cutting energy usage. The BREEAM excellent rated lab building was designed by BMJ Architects and also uses solar shades and some natural ventilation to keep the energy hungry facility cool.