THE JAMES HUTTON INSTITUTE

The James Hutton Institute offers world-leading scientific solutions for the sustainable management of land, crop and natural resources that support thriving communities.

The Crop Innovation Centre (CIC) is now home to two major innovation centres: the Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC) and the International Barley Hub (IBH).

Both innovation centres were funded as part of a £62 million investment through the Tay Cities Region Deal by the UK and Scottish Governments, which also facilitated the construction of the Mylnefield Farm building and the IBH Field Centre on The James Hutton Institute’s Invergowrie campus.

Representing a major capital investment for the global research body, we were appointed as their trusted construction partner with the responsibility of providing a high-quality facility that future-proofed their operations across the UK.

The James Hutton Institute followed strict affordability caps for the project. Through early contractor involvement, we were able to work collaboratively with Atkinsrealis and the wider design team to deliver the client’s needs within budget. Importantly, we involved the client’s Estates Management team in the change control process to ensure that the design retained its original functionality.  Value engineering included an alternative mechanical and engineering strategy, an alternative ceiling design and a revised landscape strategy.

Both the IBH and the AGPC are hosted in a new single integrated building (c5,500m2) along with a number of central institute facilities, including main entrance, collaboration and shared meeting space, auditorium and canteen.

After the project handover, which took place in July 2024, the building was occupied by over 100 researchers and staff members working in 44 lab spaces. Flexible process development and supporting office accommodation to deliver their world-leading research activities.

The building is powered by high-performance data (computer farm), which is one of the largest in the UK.  Over the next 10 years, it is projected to contribute to over 900 collaborative industry projects supporting an additional 2,600 jobs in the UK, of which 1,760 are in Scotland, specifically 470 in Tayside. It has been estimated that it will contribute over £900 million GVA to the UK economy, with over half of this in Scotland.