Country: United Kingdom
Key Area: Buildings
Services: Structural Engineering

The Auto Technium Business Innovation Centre in Llanelli provides space for 18 small enterprises and research companies, which are directly linked to Swansea University and to the motor industry.

The Innovation Centre is located in an elevated position overlooking the approach road.  This location and the initial absence of further development demanded a flagship building that embodies the ambitious concept of the Auto Technium philosophy.  The footprint of 2500 sq. m is reminiscent of a car wheel with the central hub housing administrative offices, meeting rooms, plant and IT communication systems.

Radiating from the central hub, a two-storey wing provides training rooms at ground floor level with conference facilities above.  The raised ceiling level of the conference facilities together with the dramatic extended roof and balcony balances the higher three-storey incubator office wing radiating at 120 degrees to the north.  The building is framed in structural steelwork, with a lightweight single membrane roof and composite concrete suspended floors.  Foundations comprise reinforced strip ground beams with a ground bearing slab.