February 26 2020

Michael Laird Architects have prepared plans for a National Robotarium spearheaded by Heriot Watt University to serve as a centre for robotics and autonomous systems research.

Part of a broader masterplan for six new buildings arranged along a landscaped ecological corridor to the north east of the main campus the development will meet the street via a series of pedestrian bridges spanning a watercourse.

Summarising the application the practice wrote: “The vision for the National Robotarium is to create the UK’s leading innovation hub for the practical application of robotics and autonomous systems.

“The building has been carefully sited to align with an ecological corridor designed to encourage bio-diversity and promote a sustainable environment that incorporates drainage attenuation with ‘bridges’ over to the building. An essential regional water main is protected by a wayleave to the south-east of the ecological corridor.”

The chosen design centres on a double-height atrium offering physical and visual access to all spaces, including flexible display areas housed behind a double skin façade to trap heat in winter and provide ventilation in warmer months.

6 Comments

#1 Posted by TepidMouse on 26 Feb 2020 at 13:36 PM

Another beautiful big shed to add to the other big sheds.

#2 Posted by Dream catcher on 26 Feb 2020 at 15:06 PM

Wait until the VE birds hit that.

#3 Posted by Elmo on 27 Feb 2020 at 08:57 AM

SKYNET

#4 Posted by KLD on 27 Feb 2020 at 10:05 AM

A minor comment but I would like the "National Robotarium" text to cover the full frontage of the building, e.g. one letter per pane.

#5 Posted by rankbadyin on 27 Feb 2020 at 11:31 AM

@tepidmouse what shape should it be? A big parrallelogram? No doubt we would all be moaning if every project was ZHA inspired.

#6 Posted by we're here to help on 27 Feb 2020 at 16:24 PM

#4 OCD?

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