MDG Architects are delighted to announce the completion of a new highly sustainable and state of the art Headquarters facility for WAGO UK at Houlton, Rugby. The scheme provided just over 63,000 sqft of office and production area, and provides a new hub for the assembly and distribution of electronic components for electrical connection technology and automation technology used across a wide range of industries.
WAGO UK are a Rugby-based business which is part of a larger successful international provider of electronics and technological solutions. To meet the demands of its expanding operations across the UK and Ireland, WAGO urgently needed new, larger, bespoke premises, which will also enable them to execute their 5-year strategic plan of growth. MDG undertook a number of high-level feasibility and cost exercises to demonstrate that a new bespoke facility was the best financial and operational solution for the company, and also assisted in locating suitable sites for consideration.
WAGO are an award-winning employer and the architectural design was carefully considered to achieve high levels of staff comfort and welfare to reflect the business’s ethos and aspirations. A mix of working and break-out environments will allow for a range of flexible and creative workspaces. The new HQ will also include adaptive conferencing and training facilities, product exhibition areas, a company gym, hot desking studios, multi-faith prayer/ parenting room, and an external mixed-use break-out courtyard within a fully landscaped site.
Planning approval was secured in March 2023, following 3 years of design development with WAGO UK and their Parent company in Germany. Following the RIBA Stage 4 detailed design stage and a successful tender period, MCS Construction were awarded the contract as Main Contractors to deliver this exciting development. Construction of the new facility started in autumn, with first steels now being erected.
The new headquarters will be the first employment use development within the wider Houlton masterplan on the former Radio Rugby site, which is currently being developed by Urban & Civic which also includes for 6,200 homes, community buildings, retail, education, and leisure operators.
The proposals have intelligently responded to a number of site constraints such as significant changes in levels, acoustic mitigation to adjacent residential and school areas, and integration with the wider green corridors, landscape buffers and highways access. In addition, the facility will achieve a BREEAM excellent rating and comply with the strict FM Global Insurance requirements, thus putting a great emphasis on long-term safety and business legacy.
