Willmott Dixon Interiors has been appointed to deliver a new biomedical research and development facility in central Oxford. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor will redevelop two former retail warehouse assets on Botley Road into c.65,000 sq. ft of world-class laboratory and creative office space. Known as Inventa, the redevelopment
Cambridge biomedical campus has just welcomed a new state of the art hospital, as final touches approached completion. The Royal Papworth Hospital, which will house five operating theatres, five catheter laboratories (for non-surgical procedures) and two hybrid theatres, was delivered by Skanska. “We’re delighted to hand over the building to
Willmott Dixon Interiors has been appointed to deliver a new biomedical research and development facility in central Oxford. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor will redevelop two former retail warehouse assets on Botley Road into c.65,000 sq. ft of world-class laboratory and creative office space. Known as Inventa, the redevelopment is being delivered on behalf of a joint venture between property developer, Mission Street, and BentallGreenOak, a global real estate investment management advisor, which acquired the property in 2021. Willmott Dixon Interiors will reuse and extend the existing structure of the two warehouse buildings, adding a new internal floor and a colonnade to the north elevation. The additional floorspace will enable the creation of a new reception area and a combination of sustainable new spaces for market-leading life science companies. They include enhanced common areas and meeting rooms, new collaboration and circulation spaces, breakout areas and café provision, as well as a new cycle centre and shower facilities. The building fabric will also be substantially upgraded, including a new façade, while new mechanical and electrical services will also be installed. Externally a cycle and pedestrian route and a newly landscaped car park will create a revitalised visitor experience, with landscaping at the rear of the building doubling as an area for flood mitigation. Inventa is expected to be complete in summer 2023. Graham Shaw, managing director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “Inventa will transform a redundant retail space into an exciting and dynamic science hub in one of the world’s leading research and innovation locations. We will be delivering a sustainable building with high quality facilities that will foster collaboration and meet a growing demand from life sciences companies in central Oxford.” The project team includes Owers Warwick Architects (Cambridge), Abakus Consulting, Buro Four Project Services and Hilson Moran Partnership. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cambridge biomedical campus has just welcomed a new state of the art hospital, as final touches approached completion. The Royal Papworth Hospital, which will house five operating theatres, five catheter laboratories (for non-surgical procedures) and two hybrid theatres, was delivered by Skanska. “We’re delighted to hand over the building to our customer. We look forward to watching its transformation with the latest medical equipment into a world-class facility. The thousands of hours of work by our people and the supply chain will leave a positive lasting legacy for Cambridge, the UK and beyond,” commented Charlie Norris, Project Director for Skanska. Patients will benefit from approximately 310 beds, including a 46-bed critical care unit, with most patients having their own single, en-suite rooms. Other key features include a specialist air filtering system in the hospital’s cystic fibrosis department to minimise the spread of airborne infections, and a link corridor to the adjacent Addenbrooke’s Hospital to support the transfer of patients needing treatment in the two hospitals. Royal Papworth staff will move from their existing hospital in Papworth Everard to the new facility, which will continue to enable staff deliver excellent care to patients suffering from heart and lung disease. “It is incredibly exciting to be able to walk through the hospital without hard hats and high-vis jackets and really imagine this impressive building as a fully-functioning heart and lung hospital. After many years of planning, we are now just months away from moving in and starting to realise the huge benefits that the new building and its location on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus will bring for our patients and staff,” said Stephen Posey, Chief Executive at Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. All of Royal Papworth’s clinical services will be moved to the new facility during a three-week move period from 23 April 2019.
