Nissan Design Europe

Nissan Design Europe brought staff from Cranfield and Munich to the Rotunda at Paddington Waterside in 2003, where design meets engineering in their new state-of-the-art, tailor-made studios.

The Rotunda has a wonderful history. Previously nicknamed the 'Cathedral', the building takes its form from the curvature of the nearby Harrow Road roundabout. It was designed by architect Paul Hamilton for British Rail as their vehicle maintenance depot. By the late 1970s, use of the Rotunda reduced until it was finally boarded up and fell into disrepair during the 1980s. The building began to attract a variety of graffiti and very quickly became the venue for illegal rave parties.

Nissan began their transformation of the Rotunda in Autumn 2002, creating an inspiring workplace based on the Japanese concept of 'wa' meaning harmony. Architects Tate and Hindle have produced a design-led studio containing three floor levels, with modelling plates, a milling machine, a showroom area, design space and a contemporary 'chill-out' zone for teams to share ideas.

www.nissan.co.uk