Legal & General, alongside Oxford University and Wates, announced that construction has commenced on the ‘Life and Mind Building’, as part of a £4bn partnership
The Life and Mind Building will be the largest building project ever undertaken on behalf of the university and will be its largest teaching and research facility, significantly improving the way that biology and psychology are taught in Oxford.
This will help scientists in the Departments of Biology and Experimental Psychology solve some major global challenges.
Legal & General entered into a £4bn partnership with the University of Oxford in June 2019, forming Oxford University Development (OUD) in order to provide thousands of new homes for staff and students, incubator space for research and businesses and academic facilities such as the Life and Mind Building.
Wates has been appointed as the main contractor to deliver the NBBJ-designed Life and Mind Building, which is due to open in 2024.
The building will be situated at the gateway to the Oxford’s Science area and will replace the Tinbergen building which closed in February 2017.
The building covers 25,000 sq m, set over two wings containing laboratory and office accommodation with a central atrium and lower floor teaching centre. The design will provide maximal flexibility and foster collaboration between departments.
The construction of the new Life and Mind Building will transform the educational experience for students, provide laboratories for students and researchers, as well as lecture theatres, specialised support laboratories and opportunities for public engagement.
‘Positive social, environmental and economic outcomes’
Nigel Wilson, chief executive at Legal & General, said: “I am delighted to be at The Life and Mind Building today and see us break ground.
“Not only will this building provide students with a modern, state-of-the-art facility that helps continue the University of Oxford’s legacy as one of the world’s most pre-eminent teaching institutions, it also marks the start of our first development in our partnership with the University of Oxford.
“We are extremely proud of our partnership with the University which will help retain talent in the city, whilst driving essential inward investment and providing opportunities for world-leading innovation as well as much needed housing for key workers.
“By facilitating investment the UK’s regional cities, we are creating a virtuous cycle whereby pensions and savings are used to create positive social, environmental and economic outcomes which are in line with our commitment to Inclusive Capitalism.”
