The Fairhursts Design Group has been appointed by Proctor & Gamble to design the multimillion pound refurbishment of the Innovation Centre in Reading, Berkshire, which will comprise research and development offices, and laboratories for its staff.

Set within an industrial area to the South of Reading City Centre, the site has been used for industrial
purposes since the mid-1900s. Most recently, the facility has been the research and development
laboratory responsible for the front-end innovation for new Procter & Gamble razor products used
across the world. This includes the creation, prototyping and testing of Gillette razor products the
company has launched over the last 50 years.

Working with GRAHAM, the south-western wing of the existing building will be demolished to make way for a new two-storey building comprising offices and laboratories. The new and existing buildings will be linked by a glazed atrium which will provide views over the newly landscaped green spaces and a prominent entrance for staff and visitors

The attractive and modern facilities will offer flexible, efficient and sustainable work accommodation, while acknowledging the site’s industrial history through a sympathetic design to complement the existing Gillette manufacturing building facing Basingstoke Road.

Once complete, the building will provide high-quality research facilities that support the needs and
talents of the scientists who work there, enabling them to thrive in a modern work environment.

Richard Sagar, Managing Director of The Fairhursts Design Group, said: “We are proud to be
involved in such a significant project alongside GRAHAM Construction. The project teams’
collaborative approach will see the vision for the Innovation Centre in Reading come to life and provide enhanced research and development facilities that are modern and adaptable.”

Works are expected to complete end of 2019.