29th April, 2024
VISION
A joint venture between the University of Cambridge and Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, the Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute (HLRI) is a major new £45million facility accommodating Europe’s largest concentration of heart and lung medicine scientists and clinicians. It draws together the NHS and academia to create a world-leading research environment and is a unique facility of its kind in the UK.
Hundreds of staff are now housed under one roof, tackling cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The impressive new complex is home to cutting-edge laboratories in genomics, population sciences and research into cellular mechanisms of disease and translational science. There’s also a 10-bed Clinical Research Facility for patient studies of new treatments, and spaces for education and training/seminar purposes.
The project was designed by R H Partnership Architects and built by Main Contractor SDC. The HLRI building is located next to Royal Papworth Hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, close to three hospital trusts and the departments and institutes that comprise the University’s School of Clinical Medicine, in addition to major pharmaceutical companies.
TRANSFORMATION
Creating the largest Biotech cluster outside of the United States meant that the specification, already approved on previous projects, had to be met. Kawneer systems were selected for this important building by the University of Cambridge.
Installed by approved specialist subcontractor JPJ Installations Ltd, Kawneer’s AA®100 Zone Drained and AA®100 Structurally Silicone Glazed (SSG) Curtain Wall systems, and AA®720 Windows, feature on the main elevations, with the AA®720 Series Door Systems chosen for the main entrance area. In high access areas, the AA®190 TB Welded Door is used and on the ground floor. AA®100 Rooflights were also installed on the third floor.
The prestigious façade appearance is enhanced by the Kawneer curtain walling that was installed in a purpose-designed “punch through” configuration with the metal cladding, in combination with opaque lookalike glazed panels, decorated louvres and spandrel panels that were also included as part of the design. Two full height curtain wall elements linking the East and West blocks complete the building.
REALISATION
HLRI was officially opened by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester in July 2022 and is now bringing together the NHS, academics, industry and charity to provide a leading-edge environment to help tackle cardiovascular and respiratory diseases that are among the biggest causes of death worldwide.
Intended to maximise interdisciplinary science, the Institute is now firmly embarked on its ambitious five-year goal of demonstrating proof-of-concept for a minimum of ten new drugs or diagnostic approaches to combat conditions such as heart attacks, pulmonary hypertension, lung cancers, cystic fibrosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
The building’s attractive, distinctive and purposeful design has now won the Best New Building Over £2m category in the Greater Cambridge Design & Construction Awards.
For further information, please contact:
Jane Ashley
Marketing Executive
Kawneer UK Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 1928 502500
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