Acquisition of Breathing Buildings

The acquisition of Breathing Buildings enhances our commercial proposition by providing unique natural and hybrid product solutions.

Hybrid and natural ventilation systems can help reduce energy consumption by up to 60% for a building that would otherwise be mechanically ventilated and air conditioned.

Breathing Buildings was formed in 2006 following a major research programme between the University of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology resulting in the development of a proprietary e-stack mixing ventilation system. The technology was initially patented by the University of Cambridge, with Breathing Buildings having exclusive rights to the intellectual property. Since then, Breathing Buildings’ technology has influenced how designers and consultants choose to ventilate buildings. The company is now the UK’s leading provider of controlled hybrid and natural ventilation systems, which can help reduce energy consumption by up to 60% for a building that would otherwise be mechanically ventilated and air conditioned.

By joining the Volution Group in December 2016, Breathing Buildings has greatly widened its market potential.

What does it mean for customers?

From the moment a customer has a query about how to ventilate their building, they are supported by a team of MEng and PhD engineers who help clients design low-energy buildings with stimulating environments, superb air quality and thermal comfort. Our consulting engineers work with the design team to discuss the different ventilation options and provide in-depth analysis to ensure their buildings do not overheat. Breathing Buildings can provide the whole range of tools to model ventilation in buildings: dynamic thermal modelling, computational fluid dynamics, water-bath modelling, zonal modelling, analytical modelling and bespoke energy modelling. The widening of its product range to include mechanical systems helps to ensure that the tool kit available to Breathing Buildings continues to develop and that we provide the widest range of solutions available.

"We are delighted to have Breathing Buildings as part of the Volution Group. The expansion of our commercial proposition and sales channels will lead to further synergies and opportunities for both market development and sales growth."

Ronnie George
Chief Executive Officer