Corpus Christi College at The Univeristy of Cambridge A heating system upgrade with Modumax mk3 boilers

Sector: Historic education

Building: Corpus Christie College

Products: Modumax mk3 and Powerstock calorifiers

Application: Space heating

Founded in 1352, Corpus Christi College is one of the oldest institutions at the University of Cambridge. When the time came to upgrade its ageing heating and hot water system, the college faced a familiar yet complex challenge: achieving modern energy efficiency and long term reliability within the tight constraints of a Grade I Listed building, where both heritage preservation and limited plantroom space required careful consideration.

The challenge

The existing plant room, located in a restricted access basement space, consisted of two outdated boilers that were increasingly inefficient and unable to meet the demands of a growing academic community. As a result, a reliable, high-efficiency replacement was needed and one that was capable of overcoming logistical constraints.

Dave Ward, Area Sales Manager at Hamworthy Heating explains:

Every plant room is different, particularly in heritage sites like this. Flue routing, access and ventilation, nothing is ever straightforward. That’s why we emphasise early design support, site visits, and working closely alongside contractors to get the right solution from day one.

The solution

To overcome the installation challenges, Bunton M&E Services worked closely with their local Hamworthy Heating representative to develop a bespoke solution that balanced high performance with a compact footprint and installation practicality.

The chosen system features four Modumax mk3 floor standing condensing boilers, each comprising two vertically stacked 762kW modules, delivering 3048kW total across eight modules. These are integrated with two Hamworthy Heating Powerstock PS500 indirect calorifiers to provide reliable domestic hot water for the college.

Designed specifically with retrofit projects in mind, the Modumax mk3 boiler’s modular design allows each section to be dismantled and moved through standard doorways, making it ideal for installations in tight, basement plant rooms.

Dave Ward adds,

“In retrofit projects like this, especially within basement plant rooms, space is always at a premium. These boilers can be broken down into modules that fit through a standard doorway. That kind of flexibility is vital when access and layout dictate what can and can’t be installed.

Planning and precision

A key success factor in this project was the use of the Hamworthy Heating 3D digital design tools. Accurate models, downloadable from the Hamworthy Heating website, enabled the project team to plan the layout in advance and prefabricate much of the pipework offsite.

Geoff Bunton, Bunton M&E Services, comments:

The 3D models allowed us to coordinate the plant room before we even stepped on site. It saved us time and helped ensure a smooth installation. We worked closely with our Hamworthy Heating Account Manager to get the boilers delivered in two batches. That allowed us to move everything into the basement and complete the install on the same day.

A trusted partnership

With more than 35 years of experience installing Hamworthy Heating products, Bunton M&E Services values Hamworthy Heating’s consistent technical support, product quality, and dependable service.

We’ve been installing Hamworthy Heating boilers for over 35 years. Their sales, technical support, spares availability, and commissioning backup are second to none. That kind of reliability is exactly what you need in projects like this.

Corpus Christi College now benefits from a modern, energy efficient heating and hot water system that improves performance, reduces emissions, and enhances operational resilience, all without impacting the historic nature of the building.

With around 522 junior members, including 326 undergraduates and 196 postgraduates, the upgraded system supports the college’s academic and residential needs while helping futureproof its infrastructure for years to come.

For more information on our Modumax and modular boiler configuration, contact your Area Sales Manager.