AMRC Compass

AMRC COMPASS is a 2,818m² advanced manufacturing research facility located within The University of Sheffield Innovation District. The project supports Boeing’s Isothermic High-Rate Sustainable Structures programme and brings together academia, industry and government to accelerate innovation in lightweight aircraft manufacturing.

The project was delivered on programme and within budget through a clear and coordinated design leadership approach. We established a simple, robust and highly functional architectural solution aligned with the University’s operational requirements and sustainability targets.A key success factor was embedding flexibility into the building form, enabling accommodation of large-scale manufacturing equipment while maintaining long-term adaptability.

The primary complexity related to integrating highly specialised manufacturing processes within a constrained site adjacent to existing operational facilities. This required careful coordination of servicing, access and spatial planning.A key design challenge was accommodating large-scale robotic manufacturing and deposition equipment. This was resolved by developing a clear, linear internal layout centred around the high-volume deposition cell, ensuring efficient workflow and safe operation.

The project required close collaboration between the University of Sheffield, AMRC, Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, LOOP Technology and a multi-disciplinary consultant team. We facilitated a highly collaborative design process, coordinating input from academic researchers, industrial partners and technical specialists to ensure the building met diverse and evolving requirements.

Regular workshops and iterative design reviews enabled alignment between stakeholders, particularly in relation to equipment integration, operational workflows and future adaptability. This collaborative approach ensured the facility not only met immediate research needs but also supports long-term innovation and industry partnership.The facility brings together academia, industry and government to accelerate innovation in lightweight aircraft manufacturing.

The result is a high-performance research environment that successfully brings together thinkers and makers, accelerating the translation of research into commercial application.

The building was designed in accordance with the University’s Sustainable Building Standards and achieved BREEAM ‘Very Good rating.

Sustainability was embedded from the outset. The building connects to Sheffield’s district heating network, reducing reliance on on-site fossil fuels and incorporates photovoltaic panels to support on-site renewable energy generation. A fabric-first approach was balanced with operational requirements, ensuring efficient energy performance while accommodating high heat gains from specialist manufacturing processes.

The building’s efficient form, rational structural grid and integrated servicing strategy ensured high performance while maintaining commercial viability. Environmental performance presented further complexity due to significant heat gains from industrial processes. Rather than over-insulating the envelope, a balanced approach was adopted, allowing controlled heat dissipation and reducing operational energy loads. Accessibility was embedded from the outset, ensuring compliance with the Equality Act and Part M through level access, clear circulation and inclusive facilities integrated within an industrial environment.