Science, Research & Technology
We are architects, engineers, designers and urbanists.
Placemaking for a Modern World We design at every scale and at every stage in the process of placemaking, from visioning to briefing, design, delivery and operation. The places we create are distinct; social, natural, useful and beautiful – a reflection of humanity. The practice has grown to over 1,200 people operating from a collaborative network of global studios, all creative hubs connected to the cities and regions they serve. BDP has an enviable track record of delivering innovative, sustainable projects in a number of sectors and for a diverse range of clients – both public and private, they include Google, AstraZeneca, Netflix, PwC, The Royal Albert Hall, IKEA, Berkeley Homes, Great Ormond Street Hospital and many more.
BDP’s designs respond to the rapid pace of change in R&D and the demand for open, agile and interactive places for scientific research. We pioneer cost effective solutions in response to demanding and complex briefs which synthesise functional excellence with enhanced energy performance and exceptional attention to detail.
Adaptability By its very nature science and research experiences constant technological and mission change. We design inspirational, adaptable spaces which can accommodate future needs through imaginative space planning and intelligent services infrastructure design, which enhance collaborative working, facilitate advanced ICT and other technologies, while respecting the need for low operational costs.
Achieving Net Zero We believe that full and open engagement with the client and building users to test and challenge the performance requirements for the proposed activities can reduce CO2 emissions from structural design and servicing. This includes zoning activities by the intensity of their technical need and optimising space through interrogation of uses and shared facilities. Our interdisciplinary structure enables the creative use of hybrid material solutions to holistically reduce the carbon emission impact of the structure and building fabric. An energy plan for known uses, together with scenario planning, allows for future adaptation and ensures building longevity. In-use performance measurements inform data-led design to optimise operation and achieve effective re-use of existing facilities.
Collaboration
We work closely with academics, scientists, researchers, engineering and FM estates teams; listening, analysing, exchanging ideas and stimulating imaginative solutions. Differing perspectives need to be considered when developing potential options in response to a complex brief with demanding functional requirements. We believe that a collaborative work style is an essential ingredient of this process of reconciling quality, functionality, sustainability and aesthetics with our client’s capital and operational cost objectives.
Images courtesy of Hufton + Crow
AstraZeneca Global R&D Headquarters Ar
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Location Cambridge, UK Client AstraZeneca Completion 2022
BDP is delivering concept architect Herzog & de Meuron’s vision for a new office headquarters and laboratory complex for 2,000 employees to support AstraZeneca’s drive for scientific leadership and best practice in low energy laboratory design. The BREEAM Excellent design encourages collaborative working across the organisation and provides easy access for the wider scientific community through an open campus environment.
Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde Ar
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Location Strathclyde, UK Client University of Strathclyde Cost £56m
Completion 2015
The BREEAM Excellent Technology and Innovation Centre creates a ring of flexible accommodation set around a central atrium, bringing together over 1,000 leading researchers, knowledge transfer specialists and industry partners to change the way that industry and the university engage.
Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Ar Li
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Location Cambridge, UK Client University of Cambridge Cost £42m
Completion 2015
World-class research laboratories bring together researchers from different locations working in the fields of molecular and microbiology, materials and reaction engineering, sensor and biosensor and magnetic resonance research to promote collaboration and foster interdisciplinary working among researchers and students.
Net Zero Carbon Research Facility, John Innes Centre & The Sainsbury Laboratory Ar
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Location Norwich, UK
Client John Innes Centre, The Sainsbury Laboratory, BBSRC Cost £250m
Completion 2030
The new next generation infrastructure brings scientists together into multi-disciplinary houses creating a ‘collaboratory’ of wet and dry science activities across chemistry, biology, physics and ecology to better understand plant and microbial phenotypes and how they impact on the evolution of plant genetics and development. Views into laboratories, glasshouses and other working spaces present a cross-section of the activities taking place.
Wanhua Research and Development Centre Ar Ma
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Location Shanghai, China
Client Wanhua Chemical Group Co Ltd Completion 2018
An international research and development centre incorporates state-of-the-art facilities for Wanhua’s pioneering work in manufacturing. The design creates three elements which showcase their functions; scientific labs, serviced apartments for visiting specialists and scientists, staff offices, conference amenities and auxiliary spaces, all integrated by a landscaped plaza to promote relaxation and wellbeing.
The Maxwell Centre, University of Cambridge Ar La
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Location Cambridge, UK Client University of Cambridge Cost £16m
Completion 2015
Aimed at promoting interaction with industry to develop blue-sky research programmes in the physical sciences, this research laboratory, phase 2 of the Physics of Medicine project, further develops our Lab Hotel concept. Flexible laboratory space is created under the interactive meeting and write-up zone which nestles beneath the distinctive curving roof. The building utilises an innovative layered laboratory design, ensuring services to individual laboratories can be changed without affecting the others.
Physics of Medicine, University of Cambridge Ar
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Location Cambridge, UK Client University of Cambridge Cost £16.5m
Completion 2008
A new landmark gateway to the West Cambridge Campus, this flexible laboratory zone houses physical, chemical and biological laboratories, a triple height NMR room shaped around the five gauss lines of the magnet, researchers’ offices and social space designed to foster interaction. The specialist laboratories enable scientists from varied disciplines to work together in an open accessible environment in cell and molecular biophysics and tissue and membrane research.
Alderley Park Ar ID
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Location Nether Alderley, UK
Client Manchester Science Partnership Cost £13.5m Phase I
The transformation of a redundant lab facility into a centre for innovative businesses, features a variety of workspaces from high-end specialist labs to flexible offices and manufacturing facilities. This is the first phase in the creation of a 400-acre life science campus as a thriving open innovation community for life science businesses with over 7,000 high-value jobs planned on-site in the next decade.
Glasshouse, Alderley Park Ar
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Location Manchester, UK Client Alderley Park Cost £13m
Completion 2017
One of the first major redevelopments for MSP and Bruntwood is the redesign of a four-storey building, which transforms a previously unloved AstraZeneca lab facility into a 300,000 sq ft centre for innovative and ambitious businesses. The centre includes high-end specialist labs, flexible offices and manufacturing facilities. A new communal atrium and internal courtyard features new meeting and conference facilities with views over the Alderley Park woodland. New entrances with a strong visual impact create a welcoming frontage to the building which also features retail and café facilities.
Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University Ar Ma
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Location Suzhou, China
Client Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University Cost RMB 200m
Completion 2018
The first Sino-British joint venture between research led University of Liverpool and Xi’an Jiaotong University, this large-scale university campus incorporates world-class fully-equipped science and engineering laboratories, high-tech research and development facilities, a humanities building, science building and training centre, and exchange centre for an international education community of more than 10,000 students and staff.
Manchester Engineering Campus Development Ar
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Location Manchester, UK Client Balfour Beatty for University of Manchester Cost £287m
Completion 2021
One of the largest capital projects ever undertaken by a UK higher education institution, the new building will house the university’s four engineering schools and two research institutes from the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
The design concept was developed by Mecanoo, with BDP appointed to assist with the technical design and subsequent delivery of the project.
Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport Ar
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Location Manchester, UK Client Manchester Metropolitan University Cost £41m
Completion 2021 The full refurbishment of the former Students’ Union at 99 Oxford Road on Manchester’s Knowledge Corridor sustainably repurposes the structure to provide state-of-the-art teaching, research and support space within a dynamic new building envelope. The cross-disciplinary institute brings together world-leading researchers in musculoskeletal science and sports medicine with a range of experts in sport medicine, policy, business and culture. Specialist hi-tech research labs including an imaging suite with an MRI scanner, a suite for bone density analysis, an altitude and heat chamber to simulate climate conditions and a muscle function lab are located alongside new teaching, study and break-out spaces.
School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh Ar
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Location Edinburgh, UK Client University of Edinburgh Cost £30m
Completion 2022 Phase I
The School of Engineering, ranked number one in the UK by the Research Excellence Framework, has relocated to form part of a world class, dynamic science and technology campus. The new building advances engineering solutions to global problems by supporting emerging pedagogical styles and promoting collaborative working between specialist workshops and offices, showcasing a ‘knowledge workshop’ at the heart of the building.
Design Engineering Centre, Brunel University
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Location London, UK
Client Brunel University London Completion 2016
The Design Engineering Centre is a flagship interdisciplinary facility supporting growth for the mechanical, aerospace and civil engineering department, designed to drive a culture shift from current ‘simulation and analysis’ to ‘design and make’, enabling more hands-on project based work and cross-disciplinary collaborative working. We undertook a feasibility, brief and concept study for the DEC.
Huawei Hangzhou Research Centre Ar
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Location Hangzhou, China Client Huawei
The new development for Huawei Technologies creates a workplace for approximately 8,000 employees comprising six research centres of 35,000 sqm, supported by an underground car park and two administrative buildings unified by a central canteen of 36,000 sqm. The R&D centre will focus on VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), network security, telecom production, sales and after-sales services set in the picturesque landscape of the city of the arts, Hangzhou.
School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science (SPECS), University of Hertfordshire Ar
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Location Hertfordshire, UK Client University of Hertfordshire Cost £89m
A landmark new science building at College Lane brings state-of-the-art facilities, including labs and research technology, together under one roof. The building accommodates the disciplines of physics, engineering and computer science and contains collaborative project space alongside specialist teaching and research facilities.
Bright Building, Manchester Science Park Ar
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Location Manchester, UK
Client Manchester Science Partnerships Cost £12m
Completion 2017
The Hub is the first element of our masterplan, a BREEAM Excellent building providing office and laboratory accommodation over four floors set around a central atrium, together with café and restaurant facilities, a gym, meeting spaces, conferencing and networking spaces. The flexible floorplates allow tenants to occupy whole or half floors or smaller suites.
Engineering Innovation Centre, University of Central Lancashire Ac
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Location Lancashire, UK
Client University of Central Lancashire Cost £34m
Completion 2019
An integrated space for teaching, research and knowledge exchange, EIC forms a new focal point for the university and sits alongside the student centre framing Adelphi Square. The atrium provides a visual connection back to the city showcasing the activities inside the BREEAM Excellent building and the living laboratory demonstrates renewable technologies such as CHP, fuel cells, PV panels and heat pumps.
STEM Building, University of Surrey C&S
Location Surrey, UK
Client University of Surrey Cost £8.25m
Completion 2019
The faculties of engineering and physical sciences and health and medical sciences have been expanded with the creation of a new academic building on the Stag Hill Campus in Guildford. The new STEM building accommodates science, technology, engineering and mathematics through flexible laboratories, formal teaching space, open plan social learning space, offices and seminar rooms.
Science and Engineering Building, Manchester Metropolitan University Ar
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Location Manchester, UK
Client Manchester Metropolitan University Cost £65m
Completion 2023
New research and teaching, together with selective refurbishment of existing science and engineering labs, workshops and computing facilities, marks a step change in the university’s research capabilities, STEM education, knowledge exchange strategies and international presence. The new building will act as a ‘living lab’, showcasing science and engineering and connecting with tech-focussed business community in the city region.
Environmental Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Ar
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Location Exeter, UK
Client University of Exeter Cost £30m
Completion 2012
The BREEAM Outstanding ‘living laboratory’ pioneers cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research in order to provide solutions to the problems of environmental change. Laboratories, CT rooms, engineering workshops and collaborative, interactive workspace address the requirements of clean technologies, natural environment, the social sciences and environmental sustainability.
©Jestico + Whiles
Ray Dolby Centre, Cavendish III and Shared Facilities Hub BSE C&S
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Location Cambridge, UK Client Bouygues for University of Cambridge Cost £300m
Completion 2021
Cavendish III will provide a new home for the Department of Physics comprising cleanrooms, laboratories, offices, workshops, teaching and collaboration spaces to foster world class research. Targeting BREEAM Excellent, a range of measures, including an assessment of material efficiency, use of recycled materials, resilience to climate change and sustainable drainage systems have been incorporated.
The Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge Ar
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Location Cambridge, UK Client University of Cambridge Cost £4.5m
Completion 2003
The centre is designed as a series of three elements: clean rooms and vibration free research spaces based on layouts developed through our work in the commercial semi conductor sector, offices and social space engineered for maximum interaction between researchers.
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory Ar
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Location Wiltshire and Hampshire, UK
Client Serco Group PLC Cost £66m
Completion 2009
An innovative new facility for the MoD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory consolidates its operations, previously dispersed over several sites, with the migration of 1,600 scientists and supporting staff.
The Genome Centre Ar
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Location Norwich, UK
Client John Innes Centre and Syngenta Cost £10m
Completion 2002
This is a venture between John Innes and Syngenta for collaborative plant bioscience research. Facilities include genome research and gene function laboratories with advanced robotics technology, an incubator unit for biotechnology start-up businesses, dry lab offices, including the computing function of bio-informatics and an interstitial plant floor for ease of maintenance and critical flexibility for future alterations to the wet labs above and below with minimal disruption to science.
National Composites Centre, University of Bristol C&S
Location Bristol, UK
Client University of Bristol Cost £20m
Completion 2014
This major 9,000 sqm extension to the University of Bristol’s National Composites Centre brings together academics and enterprising companies to develop new technologies for the design and manufacture of composite products.
Centrum, Norwich Research Park Ar
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Location Norwich, UK
Client Norwich Research Park Cost £11.5m
Completion 2014
Centrum is designed as the anchor point of our holistic masterplan, which creates 160,000 sqm of new accommodation for 12,000 staff including over 3,000 scientists. The centre for excellence in research for life and environmental sciences is a catalyst for future development. The BREEAM Excellent building incorporates high quality commercial offices and laboratories and a business centre with restaurant.
Nanjing Medical University Ar
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Location Jiansgu, China
Client Nanjing Medical University Cost £100m
Completion 2016
This highly sustainable new medical building integrates teaching and research with museum and conference facilities connected via a series of stacked terraces beneath a daylit atrium on a landscaped lakeside campus.
Pears Building, Royal Free, University College London BSE C&S La
Location London, UK
Client Royal Free Charity, University College London and the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust Cost £42m
Completion 2021
Home to the UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, the Hopkins designed Pears Building is dedicated to applied medical research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of some of today’s major diseases such as cancer, HIV and hepatitis. It will also generate vital knowledge around stem cells, exploring their potential to grow new organs for transplantation. The aim is to replace years of arduous therapy with one simple treatment.
ONE BioHub Ar
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Location Aberdeen, UK
Client ONE Life Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University, NHS Grampian and Scottish Enterprise Cost £40m
Completion 2023 Located at Foresterhill Health Campus in Aberdeen, ONE Biohub contributes to the continuing diversification and transformation of north east Scotland’s economy by providing a new home for the high-growth Life Sciences sector. A collaborative atrium and specialist labs provide an innovative place to support bio-entrepreneurs commercialising next generation solutions.
Manchester Institute of Health and Performance
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Location Manchester, UK
Client Manchester City Council Cost £18.5m
Completion 2018
This is a world class environment for diagnosis, education, research and development in every area of sports science and medicine, created in partnership with Manchester City Council, Sport England, City Football Group and operated by HCA Healthcare UK. Private healthcare, administrative and research accommodation is housed at the front with large volume sports performance halls and laboratories to the rear. The facility is Care Quality Commission (CQC) certified.
Mathematical Science Building, University of Warwick C&S
Location Warwick, UK
Client University of Warwick Cost £18m
Completion 2018
The new building encourages interdisciplinary working by physically connecting the departments of mathematics, statistics and computer sciences. Rising over six storeys, four wings of academic office and open plan learning areas are set around a soaring full height atrium. Large flexible use spaces, central services cores and future riser soft spots allow for future changes in use and occupation.
Allam Medical Building, University of Hull Ar
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Location Hull, UK
Client University of Hull Cost £20m
Completion 2017
A new health hub houses the Hull York Medical School, Faculty of Health and Social Care and the Applied Health Research Institute and provides a much needed social heart to nurture research in applied health within a state-of-the-art clinical skills facility. The project won the Guardian University Award in 2018 for Buildings that Inspire category.
Roche HQ Ar
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Location Welwyn Garden City, UK
Client Roche Products Ltd Cost £50m
Completion 2005
This BREEAM Excellent headquarters building and clinical pharmacology unit incorporates laboratories for the testing, monitoring and analysing of samples and a production area for the storage, preparation and packing of products for this leading pharmaceutical company.
Human Biology Building, National University of Ireland BSE
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Location Galway, Ireland
Client National University of Ireland Completion 2016
This facility encompasses three schools; pharmacology, physiology and gross anatomy. The building houses teaching, research laboratories and reseach facilities. We have set out specific targets for the building aiming to generate a minimum of 5% of the building’s electrical energy usage on site from pure renewables.
National Blood Service
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Location Bristol, UK
Client National Blood Service and Laing O’Rourke Cost £30m
Completion 2008
The first of five centres promoting optimised design solutions for laboratory templates and processing halls for the manufacture of blood products, the building incorporates modular open plan analytical laboratories, undergraduate teaching laboratories and cleanrooms for stem cell research.
National Synthetic Biology Technology Innovation Centre Ar
Location Tianjin, China
Client Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The National Collaborative Innovation Centre of Chemical Science and Engineering is a partnership between Tianjin University and Nankai University. The competition design for the centre focuses on the innovative research on synthetic biology and bioprocessing engineering, exploring opportunities to engineer biosystems to fuel, feed and heal us.
Glasgow Science Centre Ar
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Location Glasgow, UK
Client Glasgow Development Agency Cost £33m
Completion 2001 This iconic building bridges the gap between scientific knowledge, present technology and future trends whilst contributing to the urban regeneration of the waterfront. Fulfilling its mission to be an essential bridge between citizens and science and technology, the building inspires people of all ages to discover and enjoy science through a variety of spaces including a space zone, project laboratory, workshops, theatre, exhibition, planetarium and IMAX cinema. A symbol of Glasgow’s renaissance, the striking design has been recognised with an RIBA award, Civic Trust commendation and was voted Britain’s top attraction by the Good Britain Guide.
Keith Papa
Architect Director, Head of Science, Research & Technology
Cover: Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University
Photography: Nick Caville, David Barbour, Liz Eve, Gareth Gardner, Roland Halbe, Greg Holmes, Jim Stephenson, Neil Warner, Hao Zhang
keith.papa@bdp.com
Christoph Ackermann
Architect Principal, Glasgow
christoph.ackermann@bdp.com
Robert Ferry
Building Services Engineering Principal, Manchester robert.ferry@bdp.com
Key to professions:
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Architecture
Ac Acoustics BSE Building Services Engineering C&S Civil and Structural Engineering
John Roycroft
DM Design Management
john.roycroft@bdp.com
InD Inclusive Design
Civil and Structural Engineering Principal, London
GD Graphic Design
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Interior Design
La Landscape Architecture Li
Lighting
Ma Masterplanning Pl
Planning
Su Sustainability UD Urban Design
bdp.com
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“ Science, by its very nature, is subject to constant technological and mission change. Our designs place a focus on adaptability together with functional excellence and low energy performance, actively pioneering elegant and humane solutions to demanding and complex briefs.” Keith Papa,
— of Science, Research & Technology Head
We are architects, engineers, designers and urbanists.