Inmos microprocessor factory, Industrial architecture in Newport, Wales
The Inmos Microprocessor Factory is an industrial building in Newport designed with an innovative internal layout. A central spine runs through the structure, serving as an interior corridor with utilities and technical systems while housing production areas alongside office spaces and clean rooms.
The factory opened in 1982 as a microchip manufacturing facility. Over the following decades it passed through multiple owners including major electronics companies, each bringing different production focuses to the site.
The Richard Rogers Partnership designed this manufacturing plant to combine production areas with conventional office spaces, integrating clean rooms and staff facilities.
The building supports flexible interior layouts thanks to its steel framework and tension systems. Visitors will notice that technical systems run visibly above the central corridor, giving a clear view of how production spaces were organized.
The roof is supported by a five-layer membrane system that protects the interior from weather while allowing light to enter the workspace. This advanced engineering solution was distinctive for industrial buildings of that period.
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