"Heroic and yet flexible and people-centred"
It has really lifted our spirits during these trying times to see the National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) winning awards after seven years of dedicated work by a brilliant team of clients, consultants and designers. And more smiles today as we learn that the NAIC is winner of the Wood Awards 2020 Structural Award.
The NAIC, in the Prof. Lord Bhattacharyya Building, aims to be a stimulus for the rebirth of an optimistic new age for transport mobility in the Midlands. The research centre for WMG, University of Warwick, Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC) is positioned as a gateway to the University of Warwick, commanding the view for all campus arrivals.
As one of the largest timber roofs in the world, the glulam CLT lattice structure unifies the many activities housed beneath a single umbrella - a symbol of collaboration and the industry shift towards green mobility.
2020 Awards for the NAIC:
Wood Awards Structural Award
“There is a hierarchy of elegantly detailed timber permeating the design from the micro to the macro, no doubt a product of a client with a passion for superb engineering and a skilful architect able to take up the challenge. The visiting panel was unanimous in the view that this was an award-worthy building.”Building Awards Project of the Year
“We were both impressed and inspired… it’s heroic and yet flexible and people-centred. A memorable winner.”BCO Regional Award for Innovation
“…a timber roof spans the structure of the building, demonstrating the sustainable credentials of a facility that cannot but inspire.”AIA UK Award for Sustainability
“…we admired the abundant and purposeful use of timber and the application of pioneering techniques… the building successfully blends whole life carbon with climate resilience, occupant health and wellbeing and biodiversity together.”
