MBDA Decarbonisation & Specialist Facility Upgrade
Fowler Martin was appointed by MBDA UK to develop the MEP design to RIBA Stage 3 for refurbishment and decarbonisation in Stevenage. The project combined comfort cooling, specialist process services, infrastructure upgrades and low-carbon technologies within a highly technical defence environment.
The client required the hydraulic separation of existing chilled water systems, the introduction of comfort cooling to previously uncooled workspaces, new specialist ventilation and gas detection systems, and a significant reduction in reliance on natural gas heating. The project also needed to accommodate specialist testing equipment and support MBDA’s wider decarbonisation objectives.
Our team developed a coordinated MEP design incorporating VRF heating and cooling systems, air source heat pumps, process chillers, specialist mechanical ventilation, new electrical distribution infrastructure, BMS controls and oxygen depletion monitoring systems. Working closely with the client and wider design team, we carefully assessed process cooling requirements, equipment loads and future operational needs to ensure the facility remained flexible, resilient and efficient.
One of the key challenges was accommodating a significant amount of new external plant within a restricted site area while maintaining access routes and satisfying planning, acoustic and structural requirements. Determining accurate process cooling loads was also critical, as over-specification would increase costs and space requirements, while under-specification could affect operational performance. In addition, the integration of specialist manufacturing equipment required extensive stakeholder engagement and technical coordination.
The project incorporated low-GWP refrigerants, air source heat pumps and refrigerant-based heating and cooling systems to reduce dependence on natural gas and support the client’s Net Zero ambitions. Existing photovoltaic infrastructure was retained and integrated with the upgraded electrical systems, while intelligent sub-metering and BMS controls provide detailed monitoring of energy usage and system performance. The replacement of gas-fired heating with VRF technology significantly reduced energy demand while introducing year-round comfort cooling to operational areas.
The design successfully met the client’s operational requirements while supporting long-term decarbonisation objectives. By introducing cooling to the main workspace, the facility can maintain more consistent operational conditions throughout the year, supporting uninterrupted manufacturing activities. The proposed separation of process and ambient cooling systems was also recognised by the client as a valuable investment in resilience and future operational reliability.
