Lake Construction at Jaguar Land Rover Advanced Product Creation Centre

In late 2019, Jaguar Land Rover invested £500m in a brand-new Advanced Product Creation Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire. This world-leading automotive design and engineering facility is designed to drive creativity and innovation while supporting wellbeing through design and contact with nature.

White Horse Contractors were selected to construct a huge lake that forms part of a sustainable drainage system, provides a wildlife habitat and an open space social setting for employees and guests.

Key Achievements



  • Large lake constructed on schedule for world-renowned car company

  • Sustainable drainage and rainwater management solutions installed

  • Minimised environmental impact of construction



The Challenge


Pioneering global landscape architects Grant Associates developed a visionary design for the 11.4-hectare site. Their design features a large lake to create a dramatic entrance and provide recreational routes for staff wellbeing.

With demanding specifications and requiring workmanship to reflect the highest standards in advanced design and engineering, Laing O’Rourke conducted a rigorous tender process, including consultation with creative water specialists Ocmis.

The Solution


Following the tender process, Laing O'Rourke appointed White Horse Contractors to construct the brand-new lake.

To strengthen the design, reduce erosion, and protect the structure of the new construction, the design team added revetment “Rock Rolls” to the specification. The construction process ran to plan and the lake was delivered on time, to budget, and with innovations that exceeded the original specifications.

Following discussions with the client and project designers, the Water Engineering team decided to revise the liner and underlay specification, taking into account groundwater issues. We slightly changed the original specifications requirement for sand bedding. This collaboration with the designers ensured the successful construction and durability of the structural fabric of the lake.

This vast lake that is seen on arrival at the Advanced Product Creation Centre is a hugely welcoming social space for visitors and staff.

Results


With full construction of the Advanced Product Creation Centre now complete we are extremely proud to have been a key contributor to the realisation of this bold new centre of excellence for UK automotive engineering.

Congratulations to Jaguar Land Rover on winning the coveted Royal Institute of British Architects Awards; RIBA West Midlands awards 2021 and RIBA National Award 2021.

For more information call 01865 736272 or email whc@whitehorsecontractors.co.uk