Following a RIBA Awards shortlisting earlier this year, the National Automotive Innovation Centre (NAIC) at the University of Warwick is in the running for three more prestigious design awards.

The NAIC is a partnership between WMG at the University of Warwick, Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors UK. Their vision was to create a collaborative environment for their design, engineering and research groups.

Officially opened in February this year, the 33,000sqm building co-locates industry and academia under one of the largest timber roofs in the world – unifying the many activities beneath a single umbrella. Timber was chosen to bring warmth to an industrial setting and for its contribution to wellbeing. Wood has been proven to have calming qualities; lowering heart rates, stress levels and blood pressure. Timber also symbolises the transition to a low carbon future.

The project has been shortlisted for an AIA UK Excellence in Design Award, an FX Design Award and a Wood Award.