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MIPIM Award for best industrial and logistics development recognises new McLaren production centre

The new McLaren Production Centre (MPC) has received significant industry recognition as building architects Foster+Partners, and national planning and design consultancy Terence O'Rourke, were given the award for Best Industrial and Logistics Development by MIPIM at a recent ceremony in Cannes, France.

The MIPIM awards show annual recognition to the most innovative industry projects, with only the most outstanding technical and architectural work making the final selection process.

McLaren Automotive Operations Director Alan Foster said: "Creation of MPC required the high level of vision, innovation and efficiency for which McLaren Group is renowned. I am proud that our partners have been recognised for their role in designing and developing an outstanding manufacturing plant for McLaren Automotive.

"Terence O'Rourke Ltd and Foster+Partners provided specialist skills in building design, landscape architecture, master and town planning and environmental consultancy. We now have a stunning facility in which to produce every future McLaren Automotive sports car."

A new £40m manufacturing facility, the McLaren Production Centre (MPC) began construction adjacent to the McLaren Technology Centre site in spring 2010, and celebrated its formal opening by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and McLaren Group Chairman Ron Dennis in November 2011. In 2012, MPC is responsible for production of eight MP4-12Cs every day, for distribution to 35 McLaren retailers in 18 countries worldwide.

The 32,000-square metre two-storey MPC is located to the south-east of the McLaren Technology Centre, sharing a common language of details and materials: the new building is clad in aluminium tubes, the rounded corners of its rectilinear plan echo the curves of the MTC and the entrance, echoing the existing building, is a circular glass drum beneath the overhang of the roof canopy.

At just over seven metres high and embedded in the gentle incline of the site, the MPC is sensitive to its rural setting and is not visible from the nearby road.  The extensive planting of trees conceal the building within the green-belt site. The new building is also designed to be sustainable - the McLaren Technology Centre uses the adjacent lake for cooling, so the roof of the MPC will support this system, collecting rainwater to complement a low-energy system that utilises displacement ventilation.

The award-winning MPC was developed in partnership with a small group of specialist companies*, all leaders in their respective fields; Pastorelli, Trimo, Targetti Lighting, Avantgarde and S. Lucas Group.

With the new McLaren Production Centre fully operational, it is anticipated that McLaren will build up to 4,000 cars across its model range annually by the middle of the decade.

Photo gallery: The McLaren Production Centre