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    • McLaren Technology Centre

      As the United Kingdom becomes increasing divided through lines of drought and deluge, it was an essential challenge to site the new McLaren Formula 1 technology centre into a protected natural site in a way that not just limited damage to the environment but actually positively contributes to it.

      • Location:
        • London, United Kingdom
      • Area:
        • 1.62ha/4 acres
      • Year:
        • 2004
      • Status:
      • Client:
        • McLaren
      • Services:
      • Team:
        • Ramboll Studio Dreiseitl (Landcape Architecture, Water Recycling System, Cleansing Biotopes, River Restoration)
        • Foster + Partners (Architect)
      • Show more
  • The design team set out to create a smart, ecological water system that combines rainwater management and ecological restoration with the testing wind tunnels cooling system. Stormwater run-off from the roof and parking lots is collected and stored in the lake. Lake water is circulated under the VIP access road through a natural planted biotope system, and from there to the building heat-exchanger and back out through a stunning 200m long cascade. The natural cooling system eliminates the need for cooling towers and the landscape character of the site is protected. The adjacent stream is fed with clean water from the lake, a valuable ecological contribution in a country where streams are catastrophically running dry.

    The yin-yang of the building and lake blurs the line between interior and exterior spaces, making views to and from the building unforgettable.