Gordon Murray Institute

In late 2023, PMc were approached by the Gordon Murray Group to complete a feasibility review and a RIBA Stage 1+ report for the restoration and conversion of the old British Oxygen Corporation headquarters, at their new headquarters site in Windlesham, into a state-of-the-art higher education facility for motor vehicle development and design.  

The proposed Gordon Murray Institute (GMI) aims to be a centre of excellence in the automotive world. Across the UK there are already a number of universities and further education colleges that offer training in automotive engineering or related subjects. However, most (if not all) continue to teach about the theory of performance with small scale experiments to support academic work; others that are more practical in nature, continue to focus on performance with little or no consideration to design; and, even in the workplace, many will be allocated to a part of the car without knowledge, experience and appreciation of how their work affects the car as a whole. 

Therefore, it is proposed that the GMI will train the workforce of the future – engineers, designers and technicians to look at the car as an integrated system and in doing so, will act as a catalyst to revolutionise the automotive sector from within. This centre of excellence will offer degree programmes in automotive mechanical and electrical engineering and apprenticeships for technicians and designers.