NMIS: A Hub for Collaboration and Creativity
By: HLM Architects
NMIS has provided the first step forward in the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District for Scotland, offering an exciting environment where knowledge and creativity can be shared. This facility is situated at the heart of AMIDS and serves as a catalyst for future development, attracting world-leading companies and institutions.
The building is a result of a partnership between the University of Strathclyde, the Advanced Forming Research Centre, High-Value Manufacturing Catapult, Skills Development Scotland, and Scottish Enterprise. It is comprised of four key elements:
- The Digital Factory 2050 (DF2050) – Industry-led centre for collaborative manufacturing research, technology, and solution development.
- The Innovation Collaboratory (IC) – Industry-led centre for manufacturing technology application and process development.
- The Manufacturing Skills Academy (MSA)– Scotland’s hub for manufacturing skills and education, linking to existing providers.
- The “Forum” – the NMIS interface with the wider GAIA site, providing access to on-site financial advice, business support, and links to external organisations such as Schools, Zero Waste Partners, Scottish Institute for Re-Manufacture, and One Scotland Partners.
NMIS was developed with collaboration in mind, supporting short-term innovative projects for companies, entrepreneurs, and students from other universities. It offers shared access to specialist facilities including a machine shop, robotics and automation lab, composites area with a clean room, electrical lab, metrology and exhibition spaces, as well as clean zones for photonics and quantum work. There are open-plan and meeting spaces that can accommodate up to 90 research staff. Acting as an incubator, it provides office and workshop space for start-ups and manufacturing-related sectors.
The building has been thoughtfully designed for flexibility, allowing it to adapt as industrial processes and technologies evolve. A clearly zoned, legible plan and a repetitive building module supports seamless reconfiguration, whether to accommodate larger or advanced equipment, more staff or an expanded space.
To align with the wider university’s sustainability objectives, NMIS achieves net zero carbon, operating without fossil fuels. It prioritises passive measures, low u-values, and energy efficiency, making use of 100% renewable energy generated onsite, interlinking with RIBA 2030 targets. The design delivers a range of climate mitigation and adaptation solutions including rain gardens, rainwater harvesting, sustainable drainage systems, extensive rooftop PV panels, ground & air source heat pumps, and a green roof to encourage biodiversity.
The site was built for a low environmental impact over the full lifecycle of the building. The process of material selection was implemented over several elements, to reduce environmental impact from design, construction, maintenance, and repair. One of the key elements is the primary innovative diagrid glulam frame, which offers a reduction in embodied carbon by 700 tonnes compared to its equivalent steel equivalent.
NMIS wowed the Judges at the MMC 2024, where they recognised how NMIS’s design used 6 out of 7 MMC categories.
“NMIS is a key building for HLM to showcase how DfMA and offsite technologies can help build quality and predictability into our designs and achieve unique, people-centred spaces that are world-class, without taking the environment and our futures for granted. NMIS’ net zero in operation and fabric first principles powered by 100% renewable onsite energy is also a reflection of our client’s ambitions and insight into the long-term value of this type of construction.” – Anne Daw, Head of MMC Delivery.
NMIS is a multi-award-winning building including Building Magazine’s Offsite Project of the Year, the Architectural Excellence Award (Public Use) at the Scottish Property Awards, the Scotland Building of the Year at the Regional RICS Awards, and the MMC Awards 2024.
We are proud to feature and promote in our architecture magazine NMIS, a net zero hub driving innovation in Scotland
