Inmos Microprocessor Factory
The concept for INMOS is large, column-free flexible and universally serviced open operational spaces with a central circulation spine and central meeting space at its heart.
The fast-track nature of the project required the design to be responsive to any site and capable of being built in a range of sizes. The factory is located at Newport, Gwent, close to major transport routes. The 8,900 m2 building provides office and ancillary space, plus facilities for microchip wafer production.
Speed of design and construction were critical factors. The single-storey steel structure was conceived as a kit of parts, with maximum off-site prefabrication allowing the building to be erected bay by bay. The structure is a tubular steel assisted span-tension structure, supported by tension tie rods from the spine towers. This system provides uninterrupted column-free spaces for maximum internal flexibility. The roof is fabricated from 6m span steel decking with thermal insulation and a five-layer roof membrane. The external walls are based on a system of standardised mullions incorporating various infills: single glazing, double glazing, translucent or opaque panels. Wall performances and finishes can be varied as required. The initial design includes double glazing for office areas and solid insulated sandwich panels for production areas.
The building features a central circulation/service spine with internal wings for specialised activities. The spine is 7.2 m wide and 106 m long and acts as an internal street, wide enough for vending machines, public telephones, seating, meeting places, planted areas and waiting areas. Services from the plant room – hot and cold water, chilled water, compressed air, etc – run at high level in this main spine. The building is extendable along the spine in 13 x 36m bays. Offices and restaurants are on the south side of the spine and the clean room production area to the north. Production wastes are collected in linear floor trenches and supply services are distributed on service walls. A large clean room facility and shipping and receiving bays occupy the north side of the spine. The south side has one bay omitted, providing a landscaped courtyard between the offices and the restaurant. Assembly labs and main piped services plant room occupy three western bays of the south face.
Project information:
- Place: Newport, Wales
- Date: 1982 - 1987
- Client: Inmos Ltd
- Area: 8,900 m²
- Architect: Richard Rogers Partnership
- Structural Engineer: Anthony Hunt Associates
- Services Engineer: YRM Engineers
- Quantity Surveyor: GA Hanscomb Partnership
- Main Contractor: Laing Management Contracting Ltd
Awards:
- The Structural Steel Design Award, 1982
- Eurostructpress Award, 1983
- Financial Times Architecture at Work Award Commendation, 1983
- Constructa-Preis for Overall Excellence in the Field of Architecture, 1986
--Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners 14:09, 12 March 2015 (UTC)
Featured articles and news
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding.
Types of rapidly renewable content
From forestry to agricultural crops and their by-products.
Terraced houses and the public realm
The discernible difference between the public realm of detached housing and of terraced housing.
Put digitalisation and sustainability at the core of curricula
Project management educators are urged.
Looking back at the influence of climate events
From a designer and writer: 'There are limits to growth but no limits to development'.
Terms, histories, theories and practice.
Biophilic design and natural light
Letting in the light and natural elements into spaces.
APM Programme Management Conference 2024
Strategies for Success.
Residential takes the reins as contract awards even out
Contracts down, but remain above the last quarter of 2023.
Celebrating Eid and the largest mud-brick building.
Barry Kingscote claims prestigious CIOB CMYA Award.
The British Mosque: an architectural and social history
The story of some 1,500 mosques or more in Britain.
Heat pump refrigerants, efficiencies and impacts
R12 to R1270 what are the differences?
Global heat pump market in 2023
Challenging times with positive but modest outlook.
Beyond the infrastructure pipeline
Opportunities and chokepoints.