FDG is proud to announce that the National Horizons Centre (NHC), a £22m bioscience education, training, research and innovation facility developed on behalf of Teesside University in Darlington, has been shortlisted in the ‘Design Excellence’ category at the North East Business Insider Property Awards 2019.

The building, which completed earlier this year, will house academics and business development staff from the University who specialise in providing the full range of skills for the biosciences sector and in applying digital technologies to improve performance and productivity and foster breakthrough ideas.

The design approach embraced the fact that the NHC would have neighbours on all sides and a scheme that used multiple frontages to influence the aesthetic of the external envelope was developed. The chamfered square form and positioning of the building at an angle to the highway provides glimpses of the frontages and showcases the NHC as a landmark building befitting its prime location.

Made with blue brick to reflect its sister building the Centre for Professional and Executive Development, the vertical emphasis of the external façade creates additional height and gravitas, while the chamfer detail and cantilever roof have been used to add interest and indicate routes into the property.

Internally the full height atrium is key to connecting each of the four floors and creating a sense of one team and one facility. It allows natural light in, but more importantly it provides visual links between rooms and floors which removes the sense of disconnection so often experienced in science facilities.

Chris Robinson, Assistant Director Major Projects at Teesside University said: “I’d like to say a big thank you for your contribution and efforts in the successful delivery of the project, on time and budget. I think we all agree it is a stunning landmark building both inside and out, which you can all feel proud to have created and been involved with.”