Glazing, Doors, And Curtain Walling For A New Automotive Production Facility In Surrey

Gordon Murray is one of the engineering legends of the British automotive industry, perhaps best known as the brains behind the iconic McLaren F1 supercar launched in 1992, and the chief designer for the Brabham Formula One team in the 1970s and 1980s. In 2017, Murray founded Gordon Murray Automotive, which produces a series of supercars including the T 33 and the new T 50 supercars. With several motor racing and Top Gear fans on our team, we were, therefore, very pleased to be invited to supply the glazing products for the new global GMA headquarters in Surrey as part of a multi-million-pound project delivered by Mace Interiors.

About the project and customer

The Gordon Murray Automotive Group Global Headquarters Building, located in Highams Park, near Windlesham, Surrey, is a new advanced manufacturing facility for supercars, designed to reflect the highest standards of innovation and engineering excellence. We worked alongside main contractor Mace Interiors to deliver the scheme, with a completion date of May 2023. Mace Interiors is a London-based, international fit-out and retrofit specialist with a roster of high-end customers that include HMRC, Adobe, John Lewis, and other household names. Our team played a key role in providing a range of high-performance glazing solutions to meet the stringent branding and functional requirements of the client’s headquarters.

The challenge

The flagship product of the Gordon Murray Group is the stylish T 50 supercar, which won the Hypercar of the Year award at the GQ 2021 Car Awards. The Highams Park HQ and production facility was a £50 million project designed to streamline production of the T 50 while simultaneously serving as a customer-facing centre in which customers could specify, set up, and take delivery of their supercars. The extensive modern facility was set to include a 4300 m² vehicle production centre and test area, as well as the group’s global administrative headquarters and the Gordon Murray Heritage collection.

As the company’s primary UK manufacturing facility, the design had to faithfully reflect founder Gordon Murray’s lifetime commitment to automotive engineering, style, and luxury motoring, while also housing the high-tech facilities required to produce the state-of-the-art T 50 and other supercars. In short, the building was a brand ambassador, modern factory, and sales and service centre rolled into one. The glazing design had to reflect this brief in the highest standards of performance, appearance, and quality. Sustainability was also extremely important to the client. GMA wanted to provide an environmentally-friendly workspace for their staff that maximised comfort and optimised energy use, while minimising the facility’s carbon footprint.

How we helped

Advanced Glass supplied and installed a range of cutting-edge aluminium glazing systems to enhance the new building’s energy efficiency, security, and visual appeal, in alignment with the main contractor’s construction schedule and the architect’s plans. The project incorporated Technal MY62 & MX Curtain Walling, offering modern and sleek façades with superior structural integrity. Meanwhile, Brise Soleil and Louvres were integrated to provide solar shading and improve ventilation. Additionally, Technal Ambial Bi-folding Doors and high-specification entrance doors were installed to create a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces while maintaining security and insulation standards.

The products were chosen for the following benefits:

• Technal MY62 & MX Curtain Walling: Deliver striking, modern façades with excellent thermal and acoustic performance.
• Brise Soleil & Louvres: Give enhanced energy efficiency by reducing solar gain and promoting natural airflow within the building.
• Technal Ambial Bi-folding Doors: Provides a flexible and stylish solution for maximising space and natural light.
• Technal STii Entrance Doors: Designed for durability, security, and ease of access, ensuring a welcoming yet protected entry point.

Outcomes

Through meticulous planning and expert craftsmanship, the project was executed efficiently and to the highest standard, with the teams at Gordon Murray and Mace Interiors happy with the result. The completion of the Gordon Murray Automotive Group HQ showcases Advanced Glass’s ability to deliver bespoke, high-performance glazing solutions for cutting-edge multi-use facilities. By incorporating Technal MY62 & MX Curtain Walling, Brise Soleil, Louvres, Ambial Bi-folding Doors, and STii Entrance doors, the project has successfully combined innovation, sustainability, and architectural excellence in a faithful representation of the client’s high-tech brand identity.

Next steps

For more information about this project and how we can support you to deliver your project objectives, please get in touch with the team at Advanced Glass today by [clicking here] or by calling 01455 856028.