FDG has handed over the Heart and Lung Research Institute to the University of Cambridge and its joint venture partner, the Royal Papworth Hospital.

Located within the Cambridge Bioscience Campus, adjacent to the Royal Papworth Hospital, the 8,000m2 facility will be home to over 400 researchers, clinicians and scientists to co-locate, collaborate and innovate on the early detection, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular and respiratory disease.

Designed to meet BREEAM Excellent, the facility provides a variety of research space including a purpose-built 10-bed clinical research and education suite, as well as state-of-the-art wet and dry laboratories. Interaction and collaboration between departments was an essential part of the brief and as such learning environments and social areas have been created with moveable walls to allow complete flexibility and the ability to form central hub space that encourages diverse working and the cross pollination of ideas.

The striking exterior uses light bronze anodised aluminium cladding, vertically orientated to create varying light patterns across the façade, and the Internal spaces have been carefully curated to bring to life a natural colour palette inspired by the diversity of flower meadows and woodland as a reflection of the diversity of work being undertaken within.

Mark Adey, managing director at The Fairhursts Design Group, said: “We are beyond proud to have played a key role in the creation of such an important clinical research centre. The work that will go on within these walls will change people’s lives for the better and the team have worked incredibly hard to design and deliver spaces in which to make that process as easy and enjoyable as possible.”