AESSEAL Global Technology Centre - Phases 1 - 4

The Brief

AESSEAL was looking to extend production, testing and conferencing capacity at their Global Technology Centre. The vision of the company was to produce a “quietly elegant” industrial building with high quality internal spaces throughout.

The original brief in 1996 was to design a new industrial and office complex to accommodate the company’s expansion over a four phase programme. Over the years the facilities have expanded, to provide extra production area and new conference facilities. The latest extension boasts a range of ‘green features’ with living ‘green’ roofs which support biodiversity, help filter pollutants from the air and improve insulation. Rainwater off the roof provides additional supplies to the wetland area created previously when Race Cottam worked with company chiefs to turn part of the site into a wildlife habitat.

The Design

Created on a brownfield site, the development has been phased to ensure minimal disruption to production during future construction phases.

The facility accommodates the research, testing, assembly and dispatch areas; offices, boardroom, director’s suite and training centre. The main building was designed as a portal framed structure including a 9m wide linear band of two storey offices. Reception is a double height space with a balcony at high level.

The sustainable approach to the design and landscape has allowed AES to enhance its sustainability credentials, leading to its Platinum Status Business in the Community Environmental Award.

The Outcome

The vision for the centre at Rotherham of a ‘quiet industrial’ aesthetic has been achieved where buildings, using a simple palette and sensitive massing, nestle serenely within the landscape. The spaces between buildings are just as important as the buildings themselves. AESSEALS are located around the world and we have been involved in schemes in China and the USA. We are currently working on Phase 5 of the development in Rotherham. This repeated business over 20 years is a testament that Race Cottam represent an experienced and reliable partner in the commercial sector.