The Colin Vincent Centre for Battery Technology

The new Colin Vincent Centre is a world leader in the production of commercial-scale batteries and is a showcase for research in the vanguard of new batteries at University of St Andrews.

The project, which was part funded by the Tay Cities Deal, provides a state-of-the-art hub of innovation and entrepreneurship that will provide new solutions to current energy problems which are essential to achieving a sustainable, low carbon future.

Following our successful refurbishment of the BioMolecular Science Building for the University, was the appointment to design a new dry laboratory building (Colin Vincent Centre) and refurbish and repurpose a dilapidated mill on the University’s Eden Campus which had lay derelict for several years (Building 1).

The brief set out to create modern areas for research and education including laboratories centred around the development of battery technology. 

A number of early stakeholder engagement sessions were critical to explore the research and user needs behind the new facilities.

Maximising space whilst retaining as much character as possible became the key driver behind the design, which presented unique challenges in being able to deliver the technical specifications required to define a clinical grade lab space. The solution was to celebrate the exposed brickwork and steelwork heritage within the social, collaboration and education spaces and contrast with new laboratories that met 21st century expectations. 

The design team faced several on-site challenges, including the unexpected discovery of culverts and the challenge of transforming dusty, damp areas into an ultra low humidity environment, where the atmosphere is treated to gently minimise moisture. These elements create an environment suitable for handling and testing the most efficient battery operation.

Service routes were carefully considered in relation to the building’s characterful heritage, particularly tall fume extract flues which were discretely located. 

The new facilities were delivered as part of a broader masterplan, with other design teams working on site to deliver new buildings, redefine parking and create new access roads. This in addition to delivering in a live campus environment demanded multi-disciplinary phasing and coordination workshops to ensure that everyone worked holistically to deliver the project successfully and with minimal disruption to the campus’ business as usual.  

The project has been successfully delivered on time and budget, resulting in a statement building the users can be proud of, also achieving a 25% uplift on standard environmental building regulations.