Researchers at the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) working to improve global food supplies have been given a boost after their Scottish base was refurbished by workplace experts to make it more user friendly.

The Dundee information centre and offices of scientists at the SCRI play a key role in helping to improve worldwide crop yields.

Now the outdated facility, at Invergowrie, has been given a £200,000 upgrade by Space Solutions, whose experts looked at all factors limiting use of the space, then designed a complete solution.

Phil Taylor, head of communications and information services at SCRI, said: “This information centre is a resource of worldwide importance. The science of breeding crops has never had greater relevance given the challenges the world faces from a growing population and climate change.

“Everyone is seeing food prices rising because of factors such as drought and crop diseases. These issues are not going away. Here we have some of the most important research stretching back decades, yet the information centre was so dark and dreary it was actually a barrier to it being used.

“Now we have a space that is light-filled, airy and a pleasure to work in. We have seen a huge increase in usage, which benefits everybody,” he added.

The team from Space Solutions established the critical factors to improve the work space, designed and delivered the refurbishment, including motion and brightness-sensor lighting, ingenious shelving solutions, and use of flooring and open plan spacing.

The seven-week project also saw the team co-ordinate careful removal of 16,000 academic volumes, which were then catalogued. They were returned after reorganisation of the filing system to reflect the improved shelving layout.

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