海角视频

The North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC)

Salford, Greater Manchester, UK

The North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC) will serve as a hub for small to medium-sized enterprises looking to design, test and validate innovative technologies in the rapidly growing area of robotics and automation.

The University of Salford鈥檚聽拢13m facility is part-funded by the聽European Regional Development Fund (ERDF),聽with additional support from Research England. It will focus on the development of intelligent infrastructure digital automation and supply chain improvement, the requirements of聽net zero, healthcare technologies, vehicle automation and the development of smart cities.

The NERIC is part of the Crescent masterplan, a 240-acre major regeneration scheme being delivered by the University, Salford City Council and development partner, The English Cities Fund 鈥� a strategic joint venture between Muse Developments, Legal & General and Homes England 鈥� aimed at driving economic and social prosperity for the whole of the city over the life of the 20-year programme, through the delivery of spaces where people can live, work, relax and innovate.

In line with the University鈥檚 commitment to reducing carbon emissions, The NERIC will be an all-electric building.

The North of England Robotics Innovation Centre (NERIC) will enable the University of Salford鈥檚 robotics and automation specialists to expand their work with SMEs.

It will focus on the development of intelligent infrastructure digital automation and supply chain improvement, the requirements of net zero, healthcare technologies, vehicle automation and smart cities.

海角视频 experts supported the project across building services (MEP), fire and acoustics engineering.

We also supported the project鈥檚 ambition to achieve a BREEAM Excellent sustainability rating.

The NERIC will be an all-electric building.

Challenge

Construction work on the 22,580ft虏 building began in 2021. Designed by architects 5Plus, the NERIC building is articulated with a z-shaped plan expressing a series of stacked laboratories, which are in turn linked by a central feature staircase at the heart of the building. Externally a simple palette of materials is utilised ranging from precast concrete at lower levels to light perforated metal panels above. But the building鈥檚 simple appearance belies the innovative work that is set to take place here in the coming years.

海角视频 was initially appointed by Faithful & Gould to support the design and development of the scheme through the planning process and funding application. We were subsequently commissioned by contractor Morgan Sindall Group, to support the project through detailed design and construction. 海角视频 provided include building services engineering (MEP), fire and acoustics engineering, as well as supporting the project鈥檚 ambition to achieve a BREEAM 鈥淓xcellent鈥� sustainability rating target.

The biggest challenges were created by a tight budget and the requirement for inbuilt flexibility to accommodate future research. These challenges were then exacerbated by a sudden rise in the costs of materials after the design and tendering process had completed as markets shifted post-Brexit and pandemic.

Solution

Our experts worked closely with the design team and the University of Salford to identify the key priorities of the space and rationalise the design to ensure the project can deliver the functionality and research needs within the agreed budget.

The core focus throughout the development of the building services design was to ensure robust MEP infrastructure that can easily be modified as required in the coming years, as the usage of the spaces evolves.

We examined the breadth of potential uses that the spaces could be asked to accommodate, to ensure the completed building provides flexible facilities that can evolve with the changing demands of this fast-growing sector. This included ensuring that there are enough power outlets throughout the building, providing sufficient power requirements for the equipment that might be brought into the space.

One of the key focus areas for our acoustics team was the integration of potentially noisy compressors needed to provide the compressed air used within robotics. Given the location of the building close to a residential area, these pieces of equipment had to be integrated in a manner that would be acoustically sympathetic to nearby residents. Sounds were deflected by careful detailing around the equipment, preventing the noise from travelling to neighbouring properties.

It was an ERDF funding requirement for the project to meet a BREEAM 鈥淓xcellent鈥� sustainability assessment rating. Our teams supported the client in establishing the project brief and in working towards this by ensuring that sustainability was at the front of mind in the design and integration of building services equipment and systems.

Value

Our interdisciplinary team played a key role in bringing together the multiple stakeholders to focus on the demands of the project within the framework of the funding.

The Centre will enable the University鈥檚 robotics and automation specialists to expand their work with SMEs around the country and will deliver a new gateway building to the Innovation District.