Energy & Infrastructure
NSAR (National Training Academy for Rail), Northampton
Services
Architectural Design
BIM (Building Information Modelling)
NSAR (National Training Academy for Rail), Northampton
Continued investment in new trains means that Siemens Rail Division and the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering (NSARE) requires an academy to upskill its UK workforce for new rolling stock.
Located in Northampton, the National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR) is a purpose-built facility supporting specialist skills development in the UK rail industry. Working as part of a multidisciplinary team led by Arup, CPMG Architects delivered a design that balances functionality with a high-quality learning environment—reflecting the aspirations of Siemens Rail and NSARE. The building features a large-scale workshop alongside modern training and amenity spaces. Its simple, rectangular form with a mono-pitched roof is fully clad in translucent polycarbonate, creating a bold railway-facing elevation that glows when backlit—offering a contemporary aesthetic that supports its setting and purpose.
