Rolls-Royce Aero-Engine Disc Factory
Transforming a former Dunlop Tyres factory into state-of-the-art aero-engine disc facility
Sectors
Location
Washington, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Client
Rolls-Royce
Architect
Bond Bryan Architects
The £30m construction investment by Rolls-Royce allows the relocation of the 200,000ft2 Rolls-Royce aero-engine disc factory from Pallion, Sunderland, to a new plant on the site of the former Dunlop Tyres factory in Washington. The new site sees the continued redevelopment of the former Dunlop Tyres site, which has been returned to industrial use following its closure and demolition in 2006, ensuring the 60-year manufacturing history of the site is continued.
The new manufacturing premises incorporates production space, 38,000ft2 of offices, ancillary areas, a gatehouse, security, car parking, plant areas, landscaping and designated areas for deliveries and distribution by large vehicles. The facility has provision for future extension, and initially will be manufacturing more than 2,000 fan and turbine discs each year.
Alex Carter, Structural Engineering Partner, commented "As part of our diverse portfolio of Rolls-Royce projects, our teams in geotechnical, civil, structural design, and MEP disciplines collaborated to deliver this aero-engine disc facility. We produced an outline and detailed plan input, achieving a cost-effective, top-tier industrial production facility, revitalising former industrial sites, constructing buildings for jet engine production and maintenance."
We collaborated with Rolls-Royce in the design phase to understand and meet their precise requirements, ensuring minimal differential settlement across the new structure and floor slab, standing as a critical benchmark of success.
