The Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Centre

The new Sustainable Materials Manufacturing Centre (SMMC), currently being developed within Rochdale’s Atom Valley innovation cluster, will stand as a testament to the potential of thoughtful design in driving economic growth, supporting industry, and nurturing education.

This 42,600 sq ft facility will be a pivotal asset in the UK’s materials and manufacturing innovation portfolio, establishing important connections within the advanced machinery sector while also bringing the research power of higher education and the knowledge of industry partners under the same roof.

The SMMC was developed from the earliest stages of conception through a rigorous hands-on approach, communicating with occupants of successful examples across the country and bringing together experts from targeted industrial sectors to identify a strong set of criteria that would make this facility successful.

By having the design team heavily involved in these discussions from the onset, the needs and wellbeing of the end users was embedded into every aspect of the design, and the broader mission of advancing the UK’s HVM sector is at the core of every design decision. The resulting building is set to stimulate significant growth in the field and add a key asset to the Kingsway Business Park.

The SMMC is equipped to carry the weight of its projections with a diverse range of facilities including laboratory space, workshops, metrology space, design and analysis studios, a lecture theatre, meeting rooms, flexible workspace for start-ups, office space for manufacturers, and a café.

The building will be an inherent part of an ecosystem which supports the development and commercialisation of new materials and intelligent machinery while offering unparalleled opportunity for product and process innovations. It will also support the development of a more robust talent pipeline, with integrated training opportunities to support post-doctoral and apprenticeship programs, leading to growth of a skilled local and national workforce.

The UK is ushering in a new era of manufacturing, and the SMMC offers significant opportunity for the sustainable growth of this sector. By supplying this mission with the best possible environment for innovation and development and increasing the number of jobs dedicated to advancing sustainable materials and practices, the project marks a significant milestone in the multifaceted strategy of pushing the UK towards a greener economy.

The technical expertise of the team also allowed the implementation of many different complex design features to maximise the sustainable performance of the building, including high-performance insulation, passive solar design strategies, natural and mixed mode ventilation systems, and a complete reliance on electricity. These measures ensure the building itself aligns with it’s mission to lead in sustainable innovation.