The Crop Innovation Centre (CIC) is a world‑class research facility that supports the future of sustainable agriculture. Delivered by McLaughlin & Harvey through the SCAPE Scotland Construction framework, the building brings together cutting-edge, globally significant science, collaboration and innovation under one roof.
The Crop Innovation Centre
Advancing sustainable crop science
Projects
Overview
Funded as part of a £62million investment through the Tay Cities Region Deal by the UK and Scottish Governments, the CIC is now home to two major innovation centres: the Advanced Plant Growth Centre (APGC) and the International Barley Hub (IBH). Delivered for the James Hutton Institute the £43million sustainable building will future-proof consolidates key research functions, future-proofing operations across the UK and enabling greater collaboration across discuplines.
Early contractor involvement through the framework was vital to the project’s success. McLaughlin & Harvey were able to work collaboratively with AtkinsRealis via the SCAPE Scotland Consultancy framework, and the wider design team, to ensure the facility was delivered efficiently, meeting complex technical and sustainability requirements while maintaining cost certainty to deliver within budget.
Completed in July 2024, the CIC now accommodates more than 100 researchers and staff across 44 laboratories and supporting office accommodation, supporting their world-leading research into crop resilience and food security.
Beyond the building itself, the project team delivered an exceptional £38.6M in social value, equating to 93% of the project value and setting a benchmark for responsible, community-focused delivery. The project is featured in SCAPE's Social Value in Construction Benchmarking Report 2025 here.
Project impact
£38.6M
Social value generation
93%
Social value add
83%
Local spend (within 20 miles)
12,783
Tonnes materials reused, recycled or recovered
97
Placements, apprenticeships and trainee roles created
“We worked closely with partners at McLaughlin & Harvey and Oberlanders Architects to ensure the successful delivery of this new facility. The strength, resilience and sustainable design of the building are key to supporting the groundbreaking research housed within, and we are proud to have worked with a dedicated team to bring this project to life.”
Alasdair Cox, Director of Operations at the James Hutton Institute
Gallery
