Architects chosen for UKCMRI project

Following an international search the architects HOK have been chosen to design the UK Centre for Medical Research & Innovation (CMRI).

HOK has a reputation for creating outstanding buildings to rigorous design standards. Architects at HOK have designed a variety of significant buildings including: Barclays Bank World Headquarters, London; the Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum, London; King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, Saudi Arabia; and the Interdisciplinary Research Complex, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. 

The detailed design requirements of the facility and the science to be conducted inside are being discussed by UKCMRI's Science Planning Committee chaired by Sir Paul Nurse. Sir Paul said: "HOK will play an important role in helping us to create a building that will attract the world's best scientists to the UK. This country is already a leader in medical research - this project plays a fundamental role in our ambition to consolidate and build on that position. We want a building that will help our scientists work with experts from different disciplines, from centres of excellence across the country and the world, to make a tremendous difference to our understanding of human disease."

Fay Gillott, Programme Director for UKCMRI, said: "HOK has shown the partner organisations an exciting vision for this building. We want to create a building that will serve the people of London and the UK and be internationally competitive for decades to come. UKCMRI is sited at the heart of a cluster of leading scientific, academic and hospital institutions located in and around the King's Cross area. It will be an inspiring place for researchers to work. Its location and design are key to our ambition to drive forward our research into health and disease and improve health more quickly."

Andrew Barraclough, Director at Architects HOK, said: "We are delighted to have been selected by UKCMRI to create an environment in which scientists can collaborate and realise paradigm-shifting medical breakthroughs. This facility has the potential to have an extraordinary impact on the wellbeing of our global population. Our goal is to create an intelligent and memorable building - one which works, and delivers the benefits of research and innovation to the patient."

Other key appointments in the project's design team include:

• Project Manager: Arup have a strong track record of delivering major and technically complex projects in the building and infrastructure sectors. Arup's in-depth understanding of the design and construction process ensures the delivery of outstanding projects that meet client requirements, on time and within budget
• Electrical & Mechanical Engineers: Arup are the creative and inspirational force behind many of the world's most innovative and sustainable building, transport and civil engineering projects
• Cost Manager: Turner & Townsend are expert in delivering large construction and infrastructure projects and the operation of major assets
• Structural Engineers: Part of WYG Engineering Ltd, Adams Kara Taylor are a progressive and 'design-led' structural and civil engineering consultancy with offices in London, Stevenage and Croydon.