Bringing together all of its UK research and development capabilities, JLR has established a new technical facility at its Gaydon, UK site. According to the OEM, this is now the largest automotive creation and development center in the UK and it has been ranked as one of the most sustainable non-domestic buildings in the country.
Almost 13,000 engineers and designers are based at the newly established facility, which brings design, engineering and production purchasing under one roof for the first time in Jaguar Land Rover’s history. It also incorporates the new Jaguar design studio, co-locating Jaguar and Land Rover design for the first time ever.
“Megatrends like urbanization and sustainability are fundamentally changing the automotive industry. At Jaguar Land Rover, we not only participate – we are shaping future mobility. Our vision is for a world in which zero emission vehicles, public transport and self-driving pods will form one smart integrated and networked transport system,” said Sir Ralf Speth, chief executive officer.
“At Gaydon, we have invested into the future and an inspiring environment for our people. We have created the prerequisites that Gaydon can design and engineer the next generations of outstanding cars in highest quality. We have consciously invested with a ‘destination zero’ attitude.”
Representing an investment of around £500m (US$614m), it spans an area of 4,000,000m² and provides more than 50,000m² of additional workspace, which has been designed to encourage collaboration throughout the entire vehicle development process.
JLR’s Gaydon offices are rated in the top 10% of the most sustainable non-domestic buildings in the UK. Up to 20% of its energy will come from the 3,000m² of photovoltaic solar panels on the roof, and the remainder from 100% renewable sources. The same glazing technology as the Eden Project has been used to bring natural light into the building wherever possible and make it more energy efficient.
Within the facility, JLR has created a natural environment to promote the personal health, well-being and productivity of its employees at Gaydon. At the heart of the site is a natural landscape, creating an ecologically diverse area, reusing 80,000m³ of natural soil that was excavated during the construction process.
