Edinburgh
5 Forres Street
Edinburgh, EH3 6DE
Glasgow
83a Candleriggs
Glasgow, G1 1LF
Manchester
11 York Street
Manchester, M2 2AW

International Supply Innovation & Research Centre

Supporting innovation in sustainability from grain-to-glass

A road leading to the entrance to the Research Centre A side view of the Research Centre taken in twilight

Diageo’s new Innovation Centre is a state-of-the-art facility designed to facilitate innovation in their international product and supply chain and provides flexible office space and state of the art lab facilities, refined through a series of workshops with Diageo to ensure they support the centre’s goals and aspirations.

  • Location Menstrie, Clackmannanshire
  • Client Diageo
  • Status Complete
  • Services Interior Design, Architecture
  • Photography David Cadzow

The building’s design and function focused on three crucial ingredients: Place, People and Product.

Diageo has a long history of innovation and research at this location and they were keen to build on their legacy and the talented people who work here to improve sustainability throughout Diageo’s international supply chain. The new workspace facilitates development within this area.

A view of the entrance to the building taken from the carpark

To build on the remarkable heritage of the site, the new centre was integrated into the existing network of buildings. The clean, elegant architecture makes a proud statement about Diageo’s intent in achieving their goals and also their continued investment in the workforce & community based here.

A side view of the exterior entrance
A close up of the black metal panels and the line of exterior windows
A road leading to the entrance to the Research Centre

The office space within was honed through a series of workshops, resulting in a flexible workspace where quiet areas, collaborative spaces and breakout zones support the aspirations of the workforce and their goals. One of the main aims was to ensure that the workspace celebrated the inspirational views across the Clackmannanshire landscape, and this is facilitated by exposed services which maximise ceiling heights and glazed areas which also increase available natural light.

One person sat on a black high chair reading while two other people are sat on black chairs having a conversation. Windows behind them look out onto the landscape beyond
The hallway leading to several work stations separated with black room dividers
A seating area with people sat on two purple sofas facing each other and people sat on yellow high chairs in the background

High tech laboratories were located on the ground floor as daylight often needs to be managed in these environments. A variety of specialisms have been accommodated, with each requiring subtle differences in environment. The teams were consulted to understand their specific priorities resulting in a bespoke series of lab spaces tailored to particular functions.

A person in a white lab coat sat at a table on a high wheeled chair in a lab
A view of people working in a lab from the hallway
A person walking down the hallway with labs on their right

The centre strengthens Menstrie’s century long heritage as the home of science, technology and innovation projects across the drinks industry supply chain.

A side view of the International Supply Innovation and Research Centre exterior in twilight
A stairwell with wooden and steel stairs and a wooden bannister
One person sat on a black sofa and one person sat on a grey armchair facing each other in a seating area with red and grey carpet
A close up of the black metal used on the exterior of the building
A kitchen with grey cabinets and a white counter top with microwaves, a sink and a coffee machine on it. The tiled back splash is in jagged lines of white, grey and black

“We have exceptionally talented people and these new laboratories provide a great environment for them to do their best work.”

- David Cutter Global President for Supply & Procurement and Chief Sustainability Officer, Diageo
A view of the entrance to the building taken from the carpark 1
A side view of the exterior entrance 2
A close up of the black metal panels and the line of exterior windows 3
A road leading to the entrance to the Research Centre 4
One person sat on a black high chair reading while two other people are sat on black chairs having a conversation. Windows behind them look out onto the landscape beyond 5
The hallway leading to several work stations separated with black room dividers 6
7
A seating area with people sat on two purple sofas facing each other and people sat on yellow high chairs in the background 8
A person in a white lab coat sat at a table on a high wheeled chair in a lab 9
A view of people working in a lab from the hallway 10
A person walking down the hallway with labs on their right 11
A side view of the International Supply Innovation and Research Centre exterior in twilight 12
A stairwell with wooden and steel stairs and a wooden bannister 13
One person sat on a black sofa and one person sat on a grey armchair facing each other in a seating area with red and grey carpet 14
A close up of the black metal used on the exterior of the building 15
A kitchen with grey cabinets and a white counter top with microwaves, a sink and a coffee machine on it. The tiled back splash is in jagged lines of white, grey and black 16

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