CAMNS – Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Nuclear Skills

Lillyhall, Workington, Cumbria

As a continuation of the practice’s association with similar engineering building projects in the area on the Energy Coast Campus, Architects Plus were asked to develop proposals for the relocation and expansion of teaching and learning spaces for training and further education provider Gen2.

The project required the change of use and conversion of a former 70,000 sq.ft fabrics manufacturing factory building into a series of advanced manufacturing workshops, classrooms, changing rooms and office spaces with scope for further expansion in the future. The concept included a new internal ‘street’ from which the various specialist areas are accessed. The building required new insulated roofing, cladding, and glazing systems, alongside the installation of new heating systems as part of the change of use, to provide a comfortable environment within which to work and learn.

Gen2 provide training for a range of industries from engineering through to business administration, via apprenticeship, NVQ level and higher education qualification. The training is provided by industry specialists and there is the scope for sponsorship with leading national engineering companies including Sellafield amongst several others, with degrees affiliated with the University of Cumbria and University of Manchester. Most recently and since occupation of the building, Gen2 was acquired by the City and Guilds Group, in efforts to become one of the first Government backed Institutes of Technology.