Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson has completed the expansion of the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences at the University of Nottingham
The major expansion of the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences will provide world-class laboratories, offices and meeting rooms for students and staff, for research into identifying new breakthroughs in the treatment and diagnosis of serious diseases such as cancer.
Spanning five floors, the 65,000 sq ft research centre is the third phase of the development by the university to its Centre for Biomolecular Sciences. The centre has been constructed to satisfy demands for increased biomolecular research.
The new facility will allow several research groups, previously spread across six of the University’s sites, to work under the same roof. This includes groups in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Cancer Science, Respiratory Genetics and Pharmacology.
This is the eighth project completed at the University of Nottingham by G F Tomlinson.
Embedding sustainability and social value
The major expansion of the Centre for Biomolecular Sciences was built with sustainability at the forefront throughout; being constructed to the BREEAM standard of ‘excellent’.
Specialist curtain walling has been used to provide high-level insulation while also blending into the external building façade. There has also been the installation of rooftop plantrooms, two green roofs, photovoltaic panels and brise-soleil sun screens to ensure undesired heat and light do not enter the building.
G F Tomlinson started works on the major expansion in 2017, since then they have invested in several social value initiatives. This included offering two 40-metre tower cranes for high-rise fire training for officers from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as hosting a Bowel Cancer Awareness Day.
The contractor has provided 450 hours of work experience, as well as investing over 33,000 hours into social value throughout the project. This includes an investment of 15,371 hours into skills and training; 1,063 hours into environmental protection; 16,961 hours for community support; and 325 hours into sustainable procurement.
Managing director of G F Tomlinson, Andy Sewards, said: “Having worked with the University of Nottingham on a number of projects, it is incredible to see the impact that the works have across the campus and for its many students and staff members.
“Their breakthrough research into biomolecular sciences is revolutionary, and the new centre will help increase their capability as well as the profile of the University.
“As a regional contractor, delivering higher education projects is key to our business and we are proud to say we have delivered such an important facility for the future of medical research.”
G F Tomlinson worked alongside Buro Four as project managers, cost managers Gleeds, architects Benoy, WSP Safety Ltd as the principle designer and M&E engineers.
Director of the Centre for Biomolecular Science, Professor Chris Denning, added: “This expansion provides many exciting opportunities and allows the researchers in our Centre to be at the forefront of an interdisciplinary effort to deliver our vision – that through chemical and biological discovery and engineering, we will diagnose, treat and cure disease, and provide security for quality of life.”
