Background
The Warwick Manufacturing Group is a research centre for the development of innovation and cross-disciplinary collaboration in manufacturing products and processes. It is based at The University of Warwick with public and private partners in the UK and abroad.
The International Digital Laboratory is part of a regional development plan to reinvigorate industry, manufacture and enterprise and is part-funded by Advantage West Midlands. The building is designed to:
- demonstrate digital technologies which enable product testing
- develop virtual tools to enhance medical diagnosis and care
- facilitate innovative techniques for visualisation and e-security.
It also provides services for small and medium sized enterprises through advice and guidance in the use of new and emerging digital technologies.
Exterior context
The International Digital Laboratory is the second building designed by Edward Cullinan Architects for Warwick Manufacturing Group. The first was the International Manufacturing Centre which sits at right angles to the International Digital Laboratory and shares a forecourt leading to university grounds and green spaces.
The main entrance to the International Digital Laboratory is on the first floor, accessed by a small bridge across a landscaped area from one of the main campus roads. The façade is dominated by blue brick and replicates materials used to construct the International Manufacturing Centre. The green sedum roof and the five white, high pitched roof lights contrast with the dark façade and soften the exterior aesthetic.
Interior layout
The interior spaces are designed around a first floor concourse. This is a full-height space with informal meeting areas for staff, students and visitors. Bright colours indicate stairs and lifts which lead to open plan office spaces, meeting rooms and the IT and engineering equipment.
Specialist facilities include a sound room, a product testing suite, a lounge, teaching facilities and an auditorium. Work ‘pods’ on either side of the first-floor concourse are used for data analysis. These are directly connected to the ground floor where IT and engineering work takes place.
Design challenges
The building had to be suitable to the needs of diverse user groups now as well as adaptable to changing needs in the future. Flexible floors and removable dividing walls were developed to provide an easily adaptable space and ensure long-term sustainability.
Environmental issues were prioritised to achieve a BREEAM excellent rating including:
- exposed thermal mass and under floor heating to maximise energy efficiency
- natural ventilation through open plan space
- movement sensitive lighting and maximisation of the use of natural day light
- a sedum roof to reduce excess rainwater runoff and provide good insulation.
