Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC)

The GEIC will complement Manchester’s existing National Graphene Institute. Both facilities will be situated in the heart of the globally leading knowledge base at Manchester, where currently over 150 scientists and engineers work directly on graphene. Linking into existing national expertise, the GEIC will focus on pilot production and characterisation, together with application development in composites, energy, solution formulations and coatings, electronics, and membranes.

The centre, which supports the Government’s industrial strategy, will comprise a state of the art research and technology development facility of 8,400 square meters (Gross External Area), with new laboratories, a testing hall, office and new collaboration spaces. 

It will be fully utilised by the wider UK academic community and will link into the current Catapult Centres. It will also accommodate industrial partners who can easily engage with leading academics from a range of engineering and science disciplines. 

Arcadis was appointed to provide Project Management and Full Design Team Services, including Cost and Information Management services. With the architect, Rafael Vinoly, being appointed by Arcadis, the striking design of the facility allows the public to witness the development of advanced materials through a highly glazed facade to showcase the research work being carried out within. The standardisation and flexibility of the space, along with the extensive provision of essential services, process systems and future capacity within the core infrastructure design, has resulted in a truly adaptable space to support application research and development in partnership with other research organisations. 

Delivering on time and on budget

Following a thorough review of procurement, Arcadis considered options to optimise the overarching objectives of the project, delivering against a demanding project timetable and minimising risk. A two stage selective tendering process was adopted, with suitable contractors invited to tender from the University of Manchester’s Contractor Framework.  This meant that a closer relationship and better interactions could be developed with the Greater Manchester community, providing employment, apprenticeship and learning opportunities for local people. 

In order to further benefit the programme and to mitigate early risks to the works contract, a package of enabling works was procured and site preparation works advanced ahead of the main works contract.

Arcadis also employed BIM techniques to increase the speed of modelling, development of options and identification of preferred design / solutions, as well as spatial arrangements and cost appraisal. This significantly sped-up the decision making process.