CAR provides independent advice to policy-makers, design professions, building owners and the construction industry. CAR is a research-based consultancy at the forefront of new thinking in the design, construction and management of buildings and the built environment.

CAR’s website has six sections for our different services. Please click on the service images below and explore!

What we do

CAR provides expert advice for practically all questions that arise in relation to buildings and the built environment – especially questions that fall outside the usual professional boundaries.

The skills within CAR are diverse. We have classified them into distinct service areas, but we realise that every project is different and many interesting projects cut across the classification.

For each new project CAR assembles a team with the right mix of skills and experience, chosen from the Directors, Associates and, where appropriate, specialised experts recruited for their contribution to the particular project.

CAR often works in collaboration with other organisations to meet client objectives.

If you would like to discuss a project with CAR, please get in touch with the contact given in the most relevant service area, or contact the Chair.

William Fawcett

William Fawcett

CAR Chair

Email William

Buildings & Cities

CAR’s team of experts has in-depth understanding of buildings and cities, in relation to their history, design and performance.

Structures

The CAR Structures team have many years of experience with both new and historic buildings in a wide variety of contexts.

Energy

The CAR Energy team work at all scales – from international studies looking at energy use, to detailed modelling in individual buildings.

Disaster Risk & Recovery

The CAR Risk team is a leading UK consultancy with an international reputation in risk studies.

Heritage & Conservation

CAR Heritage & Conservation provides advice about historic buildings and environments.

Acoustics

CAR Acoustics create opportunities for simpler, more economical, more exciting and more successful architectural-acoustic solutions.

Who we work with

CAR’s approach to all projects is collaborative. We work with our clients to understand their needs – often bringing additional insights, agree a plan of action, and deliver project results professionally and on time and budget.

The clients for our completed projects come from many different spheres:

  • international organisations and NGOs
  • central government
  • local government
  • universities
  • research institutions
  • charities
  • insurance companies
  • developers
  • building owners
  • building users.

Building Modelling

CAR has developed scientific models showing how individual buildings or groups of buildings affect - and are affected by - the environment.

The Spy Glass, Beach Hut, Eastbourne

CAR were consulting engineers for JaK Studio’s winning entry to ‘The Huts’, a beach hut competition

UK Housing Energy

Data analysed from the largest survey of household electricity use ever carried out in the UK.

Eruption of Mount Merapi

Analyses of data collected and interpreted for volcano risk mitigation.

Tulip Stair, Queen’s House, Greenwich

Conservation Plan: identify opportunities for modifying the building without loss of heritage value

Sound Sculpture

The ORUS is an omni-directional, non-coherence, sound wave speaker which was patented in 1996.

How we operate

CAR – Cambridge Architectural Research Ltd – was established in 1987 by researchers from The Martin Centre for Architectural and Urban Studies, the research division of the University of Cambridge Department of Architecture. The founders were motivated by seeing that many research ideas fail to connect with real world problems where they are needed. CAR’s mission was – and still is – to boost the contribution of research and analysis to the design, construction and management of buildings and the built environment.

CAR has a robust business model which was designed by its founder members. It is an independent consultancy set up as a limited company owned by its members. This model has stood the test of time.

Click on the link below to find out more about our Directors and Associates.

CAR operates as a flexible, collaborative, multi-disciplinary group of experts. CAR has now been involved in over 3,000 projects, in a wide variety of fields linked to the built environment. 

The membership of CAR has changed over the years but the nature of the organisation remains very much the same. CAR is always looking for new talent to join its team.

Please click on the link below to find out more about pathways to join CAR.

Stories

Showrooms

CAR Showrooms are open to all and showcase our current research and the work of people in related fields.

Stirling Prize Winner, the New Magdalene Library

Next Showroom – Why do we need libaries?

Dr William Fawcett and Magdalene College’s architect Tim Allen-Booth, Thursday 12th September, 5.30pm Why are libraries still being built or refurbished in Cambridge and elsewhere? In this Showroom we will hear from Tim Allen-Booth of Niall McLaughlin Architects, who designed the Stirling Prize-winning new library at Magdalene College, Cambridge. We will also hear the back story from CAR, who worked

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Social Media

Our Director Jason Palmer's article describing how to evaluate political parties' climate-change policies, for Buildings & Cities, is out: Assessing Political Manifestos for Climate Change (http://buildingsandcities.org). His ranking suggested (unsurprisingly) that the Greens were top, with Labour second.

Contact us

Cambridge Architectural Research Ltd
25 Gwydir Street #6, Cambridge, CB1 2LG

UK tel: 01223 460475 
International tel: +44 1223 460475  
email: [email protected]

Company registration number 02060803 England

How to find us

CAR is shown in relation to Cambridge Railway Station, a 10-minute walk. There is parking at CAR, but please ask us for a permit on arrival to avoid being clamped. Some sat nav systems give misleading directions. The best postcode to use is CB1 2LL.