Member Article

Newcastle’s Institute of Cellular Medicine

The Institute of Cellular Medicine (ICM) Inflammation and Immunology Research Laboratory at Newcastle University has been successfully completed and is fully operational. The new research laboratory, located in the heart of Newcastle, is set to allow ICM researchers to explore cutting-edge scientific developments and attract leading scientists to the Faculty of Medical Sciences.

The new facility provides modern, open plan research laboratory spaces with associated tissue culture laboratories, advanced equipment, and cold and dark rooms. It is hoped that the information generated within this state-of-the-art facility will be used to develop and deliver novel immunotherapies in local clinics.

This development was highly complex and exceptionally fast-paced, comprising the remodelling and refurbishment of two existing levels within the six-storey William Leech Building. GSSArchitecture were appointed during March 2016 to provide a full one-stop-shop service, based on their expertise in this type of project and their ability to deliver projects to extremely demanding timescales, and the project was handed over to the end users in December 2016. GSS worked closely with the end users, the Contractor, Clugston Construction, and the Project Manager and Quantity Surveyor, Identity Consult, to deliver this complex scheme in the nine month period.

Professor Barry Hirst of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University said, “The new open plan laboratory is of the highest quality required to deliver outstanding research of the highest international quality. The new facility has brought together key researchers, previously working across the building and city, into a single laboratory. This is already allowing for new opportunities to share techniques and build stronger collaborations.”

Jonathan Hunter, Partner at GSSArchitecture added, “This project has been a delight to work on from start to finish. The challenges in terms of programme, budget and technical complexity were significant; however, the excellent team from Newcastle University worked in a highly collaborative manner with the entire consultant team, which has ensured that this project delivered excellent outcomes for everyone involved.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by GSSArchitecture .