Nightingale Associates complete pioneering new scientific research centre

08 July 2009

Practice continues to establish itself as a leader in the science field with opening of ‘old meets new’ central London research centre.

Nightingale Associates has transformed University College London Hospital’s (UCLH) existing Medical Research Centre. Designed for the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and the Institute of Neurology, the centre establishes a patient-focused local, regional and national centre for clinical excellence for the diagnosis and management of patients with Neuromuscular Disease.

The £750,000 renovation of the MRC took place over a 21-week programme, which started onsite in December 2008. The centre, which is based in central London, now incorporates research offices, seminar rooms, an outpatient gym, examination rooms and staff rest facilities. The design, which aims to modernise existing facilities set in a traditional building, was carefully detailed in order to create a contemporary and clean impression of the front-of-house, to ensure patients’ comfort and to create a pleasant working environment for staff.

“The concept of a 'contemporary fitting in a classical shell' was established in order to enhance the features of the original 1920’s building and draw on its well-established history by making a clear contrast with its new contemporary interior.”

Junko Iwaya, Project Architect, Nightingale Associates

The new Medical Research Centre has many features promoting sustainability; the building maximises the use of natural light by setting high ceilings, replacing the roof light and clearing all existing dark paint. The complex also uses internal glazing in order to allow light deeper into the rooms and maximises natural ventilation by fixing the opening mechanisms of its windows.

Innovative features of the centre include a fully-equipped seminar room with AV-connected microscope, TV aerial and PC. The staff rest area has also been designed to mimic a street café, supporting and encouraging the informal discussion of research.

The Medical Research Centre is not the first project that Nightingale Associates has completed at UCLH; in March this year, the practice successfully completed the establishment's new education centre, a project that combined knowledge and expertise from all three of its core sectors. The UCLH, which is currently undergoing a series of refurbishments, could also hold further opportunities for Nightingale Associates, having played a part in its appointment to the MRC and STFC frameworks.

The new Medical Research Centre at UCLH opened to the public on 26th May 2009.