The McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) is the headquarters of the McLaren Group, located on a 50-hectare site in Woking, Surrey. The complex comprises two buildings: the original Technology Centre, which serves as the group’s main headquarters, and the McLaren Production Centre, used primarily for manufacturing McLaren Automotive vehicles.
Designed by Norman Foster of Foster + Partners, the main building is a semi-circular, glass-walled structure that was shortlisted for the 2005 Stirling Prize. By 2015, it employed around 1,500 people and housed McLaren Racing, McLaren Automotive, and other group businesses. It also featured as the setting for McLaren’s Tooned cartoon series.
The building is set within artificial lakes holding approximately 50,000 m³ of water, used to cool the facility and wind tunnels via heat exchangers. Internally, workspaces are arranged into 18-metre-wide “fingers” separated by “streets.” Staff facilities include a restaurant, café, swimming pool, fitness centre, and a connected underground Visitor and Learning Centre.
The site has also been used as a filming location for Andor and the F1 movie.
PTSG Electrical Services Ltd has been carrying out the annual testing and inspection of the lightning protection system in place at the MTC since 2019.
Once a lightning protection system is installed, it must be professionally tested at least once a year to ensure it is capable of conducting a potential lightning strike to a safe earthing point. This ensures compliance with the Electricity at Work Act 1989 and BS EN 62305.
