Life Sciences

Project outline

The University has appointed VINCI Construction UK to lead on the development of an iconic building that will regenerate 13,500 square meters of space in the heart of Bristol.  The new site will provide outstanding laboratories for science teaching and will enhance the undergraduate experience by facilitating research-led study and staff-student interaction.

Timeline:

• January 2012: contract agreed between University of Bristol and VINCI
• April 2012: construction due to begin
• December 2013: construction work due for completion
• January 2014: building opens for use

Background

The site for the new Life Sciences building used to house the disused ward blocks of the Old Children’s Hospital, the 1960s Focus Centre and two blocks of houses. The listed frontage of the Old Children’s Hospital will be retained. The rest of the site will be transformed to house the School of Biological Sciences, currently located in early 1900s listed building on Woodland Road.

This flagship project, coupled with a raft of new academic appointments, underscores the University's belief that many of the 21st century's most exciting and important scientific advances will come from biology and that the next generation of biology graduates will have unprecedented opportunities.

Sustainability

Located at the centre of the precinct, the building will couple central positioning with the best in sustainable design and energy efficiency including:

• BREEAM Excellent rating
• Naturally ventilated offices
• Maximum use of natural daylight with automatic control of artificial lighting as back-up. Lighting will be low energy and designed to avoid pollution of the night sky
• Solar panels to pre-heat domestic water
• Stonework reclaimed from demolished buildings on site
• Use of high efficiency plant and equipment
  

Organising the building

The Life Sciences building will form a research hub for interdisciplinary research, advancing scientific research across the full spectrum of the discipline and the University's vast portfolio of expertise. Based on an iconic and imaginative design, the space will be split into three zones, including:

• a five-storey laboratory wing complete with acoustic chambers, spectroscopy and microscope rooms, clean rooms, a double height plant room and green houses for plant studies;
• a central atrium,  comprising teaching and research laboratories, seminar rooms, computer facilities, staff offices and a café;
• the best views of the city from the crest of St Michael's Hill.

Video Flythrough

Take a virtual tour in, through and around the Life Sciences building as it will be upon completion, created by the architects, Sheppard Robson.

Preparatory works

Evidence of the preparatory works by Birse Civils on the corner of Tyndall Avenue and St Michael's Hill.  This includes the significant excavation of the site which is now up to 7 metres lower than ground level, as marked by the Nanoscience and Quantum Information building on the left.

Enabling works

Evidence of the pad foundations and ground drainage works by VINCI. You can also glimpse part of one of the blue tower cranes that reach high above the City.

Lower ground floor

Completion of basement floor slabs and construction of main stair/lift core structures.

Ground floor

Construction now reaches ground floor level.

The new building climbs

A glimpse of the spectacular views the new building will provide over Bristol.

Site image

Image of the Life Sciences site as the concrete frame nears full height.

Concrete frame complete

The concrete frame has completed and steel work has begun on the upper floor for plant and research space (top left).

Latest image on site

A view looking across to Tyndall Avenue showing the height the building has reached next to its neighbour, Nanoscience and Quantum Information.

Landscaping works

Ground preparation begins for the start of public realm works in spring 2013.