The purpose-built Rural and Veterinary Innovation Centre provides a new base for Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) as well as a collaborative space for research scientists and animal biotech businesses to work in partnership.
Located in Inverness, on the Highlands and Islands Enterprise campus, the state-of-the-art centre will bring together big data expertise and research in animal epidemiology to develop tools for monitoring, tracking and managing animal diseases.
As part of the SRUC’s work, the centre will also provide consulting, diagnostic and other veterinary services – through SRUC Veterinary Services and SAC Consulting – as well as encouraging knowledge exchange and supporting continuing professional development.
Combined office and laboratory construction project
The building is organised in three main longitudinal sections, two of which consist of offices, development laboratories, lecture theatres and other teaching facilities, workshops and a wildlife necropsy suite.
A number of the workspaces and laboratories, including breakout areas, are reserved for biotech businesses, with flexible space also available for community events and talks, as well as to showcase new innovations.
The third longitudinal section, in the centre of the building, is a large atrium which acts as a social and circulation space linking to work areas on either side. Full-height windows at both ends bring natural daylight into the central area while also offering views of the surrounding landscape.
Sustainable goals – our role
In the early design stages, we worked closely with the team to undertake detailed option appraisals, to help identify the most cost-efficient way for the client to achieve RIBA 2030 sustainable outcomes.
Using our in-house sustainability tracker tool, we were able to interrogate the various options, considering the base design, enhanced design, energy performance, embodied carbon, design impact and cost impact.
We also worked closely with the services engineers, using their energy models to undertake whole-life costings, and informed the client about the payback periods for any enhanced works.
Development funding
The project is being funded through the European Regional Development Fund Scotland Programme and a financial transactional loan from the Scottish Funding Council. Our team prepared net zero documentation and accurate budget estimates to help SRUC secure extra funding for the required sustainability enhancements.
Principal and Chief Executive, SRUC
Credits
Architect Threesixty Architecture
Contractor Muir Construction
Project Manager Currie & Brown
Services Engineer Rybka
Structural Engineer David Narro Associates
Quantity Surveyor Thomson Gray
Images Threesixty Architecture
