The National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC), located inside the Prof. Lord Bhattacharyya Building at the University of Warwick, is the largest centre of its kind. Officially opened by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales in February 2020, the NAIC is home to 1,000 staff working across design, engineering and research. 

Arup was appointed to provide structural, mechanical, electrical and public health (SMEP) services, forming part of this unique construction’s design team. The partnership between Warwick Manufacturing Group, at the University of Warwick, Jaguar Land Rover, and Tata Motors European Technical Centre has resulted in an innovative, cutting-edge facility where research and ideas can be shared between organisations to stimulate growth and future development.

The centre has been awarded the highest BREEAM “Excellent” rating, recognising its environmental, social and economic sustainability performance and providing a space for organisations to explore and develop technologies that will reduce CO² emissions and fossil fuel dependency.

NAIC will play an important role in shaping future mobility. The finest minds of academia, suppliers and OEMs will work together to define our vision of ‘destination zero’ – zero emissions, accidents and congestions.

Professor Dr. Ralf Speth

CEO, Jaguar Land Rover

Creating a collaborative environment

The building design is characterised by collaboration, through the way in which it was developed and the interior working spaces. Alongside the client team, Arup designers partnered with architects, engineers and consultants from specialist firms to create the project’s vision:

  • To foster innovation and collaboration across disciplines 
  • To connect academic and manufacturing research 
  • To inspire a new generation of engineers 
  • To showcase forward thinking in British engineering and design 

 

Transforming transportation

Together, we set out to build a global powerhouse of automotive research. Arup, with the team, reimagined and revolutionised the future of transportation and mobility to deliver essential skills that will keep the UK globally competitive. The project team looked for simplicity and strength of purpose, while editing the thousands of detailed decisions that were made by the large team of clients and consultants. Arup consulted with many expert academics, research engineers and automotive designers to develop a design and house all their teams and meet their objectives.

Improving efficiency using technology

Sustainability and energy conservation were essential. The team examined several low and zero-carbon technologies during the design stages to determine the most suitable components to achieve an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating. The optimal combination for energy reduction was then selected. 

The NAIC incorporates energy-efficient features, including a back-up heating system, mechanical ventilation systems, ‘chilled beams’ and 1,900m² of photovoltaic panels to place less strain on energy systems.

Inside the National Automotive Innovation Centre
The use of engineered timber within the structure has been designed to reduce embodied energy. ©Hufton+Crow

Developing a digital twin

Using 3D simulation, Arup enabled the client to be visually immersed in the building, allowing for comments on both the architectural and engineering elements that enables the design team to get direct feedback. This formed part of the detailed multiple stakeholder engagement process through the design stages, leading to a truly intelligent digital twin that exists today of the facility.