The building, jointly funded by the ERDF and the University, provides flexible, high quality workspaces that showcase the innovative technologies and processes taking place within the building. IIPSI is the third building we have designed for Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and the University.

IIPSI provides a dedicated facility and support to regional small and medium enterprises (SMEs) based on the demonstration of new technology, new processes and new applications to enable the creation and testing of market leading products and services. SMEs are able to see and touch technology throughout the open-plan facility, co-located with the experts that are working to develop it. The building provides both interactive openness and calm working areas.

The philosophy of IIPSI is for the knowledge transfer and the demonstrations to take place in the whole building; next to the desk spaces are attractive break-out areas for brainstorming ideas, helping people think in a less formal environment about how they can actually take these product innovations forward.

While the adjacent Digital Lab was our first north-facing building, the real challenge here was to design a south west-facing glazed facade without overheating. Designed to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, the building provides a comfortable environment with a low energy load in its passive state. 

We engaged the BREEAM Assessor as an integrated member of the team from the outset to advise on a holistic approach to sustainability. Getting the overall design working as hard as possible to make a comfortable environment with a low energy load in its passive state negated the need for expensive add-on technologies. This will have a beneficial impact on the energy in use costs, as well as life-cycle costing, through reduced requirements for replacement of M&E equipment.

The south west orientation of the building, dictated by the masterplan, added an inherent conflict between designing for best daylight and the level of shading required to deal with unwanted solar gain and glare. The double-skin facade consists of two glass skins in between which air flows and acts as insulation against temperature extremes, winds and sounds.