Construction milestone for Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre in the Midlands

Following recent news that construction work on the 46,904 sq ft Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) Midlands at Infinity Park Derby (IPD) was progressing to plan, it was great to see initial construction completed. Senior figures from Nuclear AMRC and partners visited the site at Infinity Park Derby on Wednesday 9 November to mark the topping out of the £20 million building. The new industrial research facility will help manufacturers across the Midlands win work in growing low-carbon markets and develop new sustainable technologies.

The new Nuclear AMRC Midlands facility will provide a permanent base in Derby for the University of Sheffield’s Nuclear AMRC, part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and a new home for the University of Derby’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering (IISE). The new building, designed by Stephen George + Partners (SGP) and built by Stepnell, is based around a large open-plan workshop which will host a flexible range of state-of-the-art manufacturing and research equipment, with ten metre ceilings and 50 tonne cranes to allow work on large fabrications and assemblies.

Nuclear AMRC laboratory facilities will include dedicated space for 3D printing and rapid prototyping, virtual reality and visualisation, and equipment qualification. The building will also include dedicated space for engaging with local schools and colleges, to help encourage young people to consider careers in science and engineering.

Chris Webster, Studio Director for Stephen George + Partners and lead architect for the project, said: “It was exciting to design a building that had to deliver on both the requirements of Nuclear AMRC and be a statement gateway to the development. We were able to use our extensive experience in the sector to create this quality design, reflecting the high technology aspirations for Infinity Park Derby.”

Infinity Park Derby is a unique collaboration between Derby City Council, The Harpur Crewe Estate, Rolls-Royce, the D2N2 local enterprise partnership, and developers IPD LLP which comprises Wilson Bowden and Peveril Securities.

Nick Richardson, managing director of Wilson Bowden, said: “The topping out of the Nuclear AMRC facility is another significant milestone in the delivery of this exciting advanced manufacturing and logistics project and further cements Derby’s unrivalled reputation for world-class manufacturing.

“The Park is already benefiting from a superb location with excellent access to the major routes such as the M1 and A38, this will be further improved with the opening of the proposed new junction off the A50 offering even more direct access to the national motorway network, reinforcing Infinity Park’s position as the premier location for logistics and manufacturing businesses in the region.”

You can read the full story HERE