Research Centre, concept design, Cambridge

Our client asked Ian Gunter-Jones to help them to develop a concept & feasibility scheme to expand their UK Research Centre.

The proposed new research centre expansion would create 3 new linked buildings that would sit alongside their existing buildings. They would expand the existing facilities with 150,000 sq.ft of new offices, laboratories & workshops, a new visitors centre, restaurant and conference facilities.

The new buildings would be partially submerged into the site and grassed over. In order to keep a low profile & preserve views of the existing iconic company headquarters building.

Ian worked with Amalgam’ate Diego Repiso, and invited David Kirkland and Kenny Fraser of KFM Architects to collaborate with the architectural scheme.

The proposed new research centre buildings sitting alongside the existing buildings

ETFE roofs would create large, light atrium spaces linking most of the new offices and laboratories to be housed in the two larger buildings. The central building would become a new entrance / reception, public visitor centre, museum and multi-purpose auditorium.

Within the existing building, a new collaborative working area would also be created in the ‘winter garden’ which is currently used as the staff café.