New premises for development agency and university one step closer

12th November 2013

A new collaborative centre, designed to host research and education and attract investment and jobs to the Highlands and Islands, is moving one step closer today with the shortlisting of architectural design companies.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the University of the Highlands and Islands are proposing to build shared premises at Inverness Campus, the 215-acre site which HIE is developing as a location for business, learning and community activities in the east of the city of Inverness.

Architects were invited to express an interest in tendering to design the new building and after a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire; five companies have been invited to tender for the work.

The five companies are: Boswell Mitchell & Johnston Ltd, Holmes Miller, Page\Park Architects, Sheppard Robson and The Manser Practice Architects.

The Enterprise and Research Centre is a unique opportunity to co-locate the region’s economic and community development agency with a University. The joint venture could include shared office accommodation, teaching, research and laboratory facilities and an innovative Science Academy.

The university plans to locate several new activities at the centre which will complement the new Inverness College UHI building already under construction at Inverness Campus, as well as serve as a base on the campus for the other colleges and research institutions in the university’s partnership. The building will become a centre for research excellence in the region, potentially housing amongst others - a life sciences research facility; a learning and teaching academy, and new facilities to provide training and accreditation for professionals in the oil and gas industry.

A prospective facility for research and consultancy services available through Scotland’s Rural College could mean that at an early stage Inverness Campus may become home to two higher education institutions.

HIE is looking for new office space after successfully attracting Capgemini to create 500 new jobs at Cowan House, HIE’s current location in Inverness.

HIE is currently considering other potential sites in the city as an interim base. No decision on where this will be has yet been made but Capgemini will have full occupancy of Cowan House by June 2014.