Selected through the Coventry University Framework, Glancy Nicholls Architects undertook the delivery of the National Transport Design Centre (NTDC). The centre operates within the University's existing Centre for Mobility and Transport, comprising workshops, engineering space and design/research space. The centre accommodates a six-metre interactive power wall which allows users to explore detailed design and engineering concepts in virtual reality, advanced clay milling machines, a projection mapping system, the Roland Academy (a space containing a wide range of digital 2D and 3D printers), a design/research space, and incubation offices.
We developed the design from its earliest review of the brief, to understand the site location and siting for the building. We worked closely with the client and the team to develop the concept alongside the sustainability brief at an early stage so that the solutions could be embedded into the design solution. The key to achieving the benefit of low-energy design is to maintain simplicity and efficiency in form, detail, construction and operation.
We aimed to safeguard opportunities for further sustainable initiatives to be integrated at a later date whilst achieving the design requirement. The centre provides superb value, low maintenance and an excellent environment for the research department and incubation offices.
National Transport Design Centre
National Transport Design Centre content
Spotlight
The external elevation of the National Transport Design Centre incorporates an interpretation of a original piece of Art work designed by Ian Callum, who throughout his illustrious career worked for Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin and Ford, designing such cars as the Aston Martin Vanquish, the DB9 and the Jaguar F Type amongst others. Designed to reflect the movement of air passing over an object, the trails are incorporated within the buildings perforated cladding which are Illuminated at night.
Ian Callum then opened the facility with super model and car enthusiast Jodie Kidd in 2017
