The University of Strathclyde operated National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) has taken ownership of its new headquarters next to Glasgow Airport. Designed by HLM Architects, the flagship building is a place where industry, academia, and the public sector will work together on new, ground-breaking manufacturing research to transform productivity, skills, and innovation.
Located at the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland (AMIDS), the new NMIS HQ will act as a magnet for innovative manufacturing, engineering and tech businesses and will provide an open and collaborative environment where knowledge and creativity can be shared.
The striking, world-class facility is set to be the linchpin for the future of manufacturing in Scotland, supporting firms of all sizes and sectors to innovate and grow their businesses in the global market.
Collaboration sits at the heart of the building, with specialist areas for industry partners to work together on innovative R&D projects. These include the NMIS Manufacturing Skills Academy, fully connected Digital Factory and publicly accessible collaboration hub. An open plan office space and dedicated meeting areas for research staff provides a key meeting place for industry, academics, and businesses.
Leading the way in sustainable design, the flagship facility also features clean and innovative low carbon solutions to mitigate its impact on the environment and make it a great place to work, learn and collaborate. These include a large-scale rooftop solar array for electricity generation, access to a state-of-the-art low carbon district heating network, and rainwater harvesting system.
The building seeks to create a high-quality, healthy workplace with extensive natural daylight, an exposed timber glulam frame, internal tree planting, and a bespoke internal green wall.
Aligning the wider AMIDS site’s sustainability objectives, NMIS has been innovative, ambitious, and bold in creating a sustainable building using clean, low carbon infrastructure to meet its climate action ambitions.
By using innovative technologies and materials that have been, or can be, remanufactured and reused, the design has been awarded BREEAM ‘outstanding’ for sustainability.
Ross Barrett, Design Director at HLM, said: “This ground-breaking new facility paves the way for Scotland to be a global leader in advanced manufacturing, helping to attract leading companies and institutions involved at the cutting edge of the sector to collaborate and innovate. We wanted our design to live and breathe the values of NMIS, ultimately creating a space where people can work together, feel inspired, and push the boundaries of manufacturing using the latest facilities and infrastructure at their disposal. We’re privileged to have played a role in bringing this new centre to life and can’t wait to see the impact it has now and into the future.”
NMIS is operated by the University of Strathclyde. It is supported by the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Island Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, Renfrewshire Council and the Scottish Funding Council. It is also part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult.
