IMPACT Building
Swansea, Wales
Sectors
People
project overview
State-of-the-art engineering research facility
The Institute for Innovative Materials, Processing & Numerical Technologies (IMPACT) building for Swansea University is a bespoke research facility specialising in advanced engineering. Our design enables closer working relationships within a facility offering a wide range of collaborative and flexible workspaces.
With sustainability weaving throughout the design, we ensured the building has minimal impact on the local and global environment through the use of thermal solar collector technology, natural ventilation strategies, photovoltaic panels and a living wall.
IMPACT provides outstanding value for the university, the global engineering sector, academics and researches, as well as the local community and environment, following the success of the neighbouring Computational Foundry building we also designed.
The value of its world-leading research into areas including the generation of renewable technologies, novel materials, and the fourth industrial revolution in manufacturing benefits our entire world.
AHR’s approach has been highly professional, they listened to our vision, to our requirements, and to our views. Communication with them has been very good and transparent. AHR has converted our discussions into what already now feels will be an excellent and inspirational working environment for the many academics, researchers, students and visitors from companies and academia.”
Professor Johann Sienz
Deputy Head of College - Engineering, Swansea Universityproject aims
Attracting a wealth of talent and opportunity
As part of our client’s brief, IMPACT creates the facilities to attract top talent to the area through sustainable, environmentally conscious design. The facility brings leading talent and investment to the region, enabling partnerships with the world’s largest companies and regional partners.
The engineering research hub and its state-of-the-art facilities invites collaboration between companies and academia, helping to bring people together through innovation.
![AHR-University-Impact-Architecture-Interior3-Wales](https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/IMPACT/2015_00682_000_0453.jpg?w=800&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684015696&s=6c9114e6f6968c61aac45fc3bfbcf783 800w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/IMPACT/2015_00682_000_0453.jpg?w=1100&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684015696&s=f69c5f0146f5c4db9354f09a8a0455ec 1100w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/IMPACT/2015_00682_000_0453.jpg?w=1300&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684015696&s=8c4f932b70614be063b04b2717f6656c 1300w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/IMPACT/2015_00682_000_0453.jpg?w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684015696&s=c5243965630fedca1aa36310ed9fa4b1 1600w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/IMPACT/2015_00682_000_0453.jpg?w=1920&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684015696&s=4e15a6ad7f87535a4df2d5d39fa310c6 1920w)
design concept
Combining the facilities to support collaborative working
Our transformative design combines laboratory and office space to provide a unique ‘all-encompassing’ environment for academia-industry partnerships. The building is organised into three distinct and highly connected areas, a research office building, a laboratory and workshop block linked by a central atrium.
The strong aesthetic of the ‘collegiate’ campus design at Swansea Bay is neatly encapsulated in the facade design of the building.
The crisp, precast concrete panels and the red brick give a formal rhythm and human scale to the landscaped courtyard side of the building.
This is juxtaposed by the industrial, saw toothed metal clad workshop with generous expanses of glass, connecting people to the work being carried out inside. The two forms are delicately interconnected by a light, bright glazed atrium.
building excellence
Bringing it to life
Click the video to watch IMPACT come together.
innovation and sustainability
Creating success through a multi-disciplinary way of working
The project brief was to encourage the integration of sustainable technologies. Our BREEAM Excellent design has accomplished this through the use of thermal solar collector technology, natural ventilation strategies, photovoltaic panels and a living wall, minimising the building’s greenhouse gas emissions and impact on the local and global environment.
The building features a 114 metres square ‘living wall’ of approximately 5,500 plants and flowers, to bring a new level of sustainability, provide home for wildlife and enhance the biodiversity of the site. The building is also home to nest boxes for swifts, sparrows and bats.
I’m delighted to see so many women leading their disciplines on this project, demonstrating the range of opportunities available.
Fiona Nixon
Head of Projects and Planning, Swansea University![AHR-University-Impact-Architecture-Interior11-Wales](https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/IMPACT/Swansea-Uni_Women-in-Construction.jpg?w=650&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684015699&s=2e74191cbd1f63b21c23e95a5cab4540)
social value
Supporting the local community and environment
IMPACT provides a positive contribution to Swansea University, the engineering sector, academics and researches, as well as the local community and environment.
£12m
total social impact
Economic, environmental benefit generated
629
weeks
Supporting apprentices, trainees, graduates, placement students
£12.1m
local SMEs spend
88%
local subcontractor spend
114 m2
living wall on the north aspect
100%
UK recycled plastics used
On the living wall support panels
key information
Project summary
Location
Swansea, SA1 8EN
Client
Swansea University
Completion
2019
Size
7,085 m2
Environmental
BREEAM Excellent
Awards
Neath Port Talbot Building Excellence Awards 2020
Winner - Best Educational Building
Education Estates Awards 2020
Winner - Innovation in Delivery Value
SPACES: Society for Public Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Surveying Awards 2021
Winner - Education Category
Contact
Interested in
learning more?
Learn more about 'IMPACT Building' and other projects by reaching out to one of our team
Get in touchRelated Projects
![East Quad Building](https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/Grangegorman-Campus-East-Quad-Building/SM_1210_1085_edit.jpg?w=100&h=75&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684015634&s=504bf132c3656d46a50f40860167a88e 100w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/Grangegorman-Campus-East-Quad-Building/SM_1210_1085_edit.jpg?w=400&h=300&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684015634&s=0bd2a9068c94bbe9a584651936217545 400w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/Grangegorman-Campus-East-Quad-Building/SM_1210_1085_edit.jpg?w=600&h=450&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684015634&s=509022281ba736f935568d74a0ceade0 600w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/Grangegorman-Campus-East-Quad-Building/SM_1210_1085_edit.jpg?w=800&h=600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684015634&s=7765292f3a2f8e31859bc8eb694a5374 800w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/Grangegorman-Campus-East-Quad-Building/SM_1210_1085_edit.jpg?w=1000&h=750&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684015634&s=57948644a3eaf488ff76652f21887cc4 1000w)
East Quad Building
Through evolutionary design, the space nurtures a new inspired generation, fostering collaborative relationships, whilst addressing the University’s aspirations and supporting the wider community.
![School of Engineering](https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/UWE-Engineering/k22rq013.jpg?w=100&h=75&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684016010&s=06b81df01e0708ba549ea6169ebe06fb 100w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/UWE-Engineering/k22rq013.jpg?w=400&h=300&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684016010&s=5c627a71b90080486f67fa6c06a21b88 400w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/UWE-Engineering/k22rq013.jpg?w=600&h=450&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684016010&s=08b015d17ebbbffbb0177f9022b21196 600w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/UWE-Engineering/k22rq013.jpg?w=800&h=600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684016010&s=e4ddbaa33eba4a995c68de3e86852c6d 800w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/UWE-Engineering/k22rq013.jpg?w=1000&h=750&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684016010&s=59867f3cebab9f5cc740ad2f701e9ec7 1000w)
School of Engineering
The new 8,500m2 Engineering Building will inspire new, collaborative ways of learning with mechanical and manual workshops, teaching labs, social learning spaces and academic offices.
![Daphne Steele Building](https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/University-of-Huddersfields-Health-and-Wellbeing-Academy/1.jpg?w=100&h=75&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684016022&s=28c9203c8256d8adaef35fcf0066ea66 100w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/University-of-Huddersfields-Health-and-Wellbeing-Academy/1.jpg?w=400&h=300&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684016022&s=c7362cfd055a54f5680af509ca19e197 400w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/University-of-Huddersfields-Health-and-Wellbeing-Academy/1.jpg?w=600&h=450&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684016022&s=53bae3ec46359b1cd37d52a6142070c2 600w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/University-of-Huddersfields-Health-and-Wellbeing-Academy/1.jpg?w=800&h=600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684016022&s=ec6292ef6a44e9de85a96b4533a70611 800w, https://ahr-website.transforms.svdcdn.com/production/uploads/Projects/University-of-Huddersfields-Health-and-Wellbeing-Academy/1.jpg?w=1000&h=750&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop&crop=focalpoint&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&dm=1684016022&s=b20bf4cd3cfd242d1361634723e2848e 1000w)
Daphne Steele Building
Forming part of the new national health and research innovation campus, the development is the first university building to be designed to WELL Platinum Standard.