Planning achieved for Health and Life Sciences building at University of Reading

3rd April 2017
Planning achieved for Health and Life Sciences building at University of Reading

Planning permission has been achieved for a 7,557m2 Health and Life Sciences Building at the University of Reading, which includes of one of the largest teaching labs in the UK.

The project will consolidate the existing School of Biological Sciences, which is currently hosted in six buildings across the Whiteknights campus, allowing more efficient use of resources and greater collaboration in research and learning.

reading university health and life sciences building
reading university health and life sciences building

Over four floors, the £50m state of the art facility will consist of wet and dry research laboratories, a bio resource unit, teaching facilities, collaborative working areas, office space and a café space, whilst the atrium will come to life with the showcase of the Cole Museum of Zoology, features of which include an Indian elephant and false killer whale skeleton.

 

reading health and life sciences

The teaching laboratories can be configured for groups of up to 280, whilst the research labs will serve the needs of 95 academic researchers and 145 doctoral students.

Adorning the entrance is a feature inspired by the pattern of a dragonfly wing, one which can be found as a fossil within the Cole Collection, providing an inspiring first impression for the field of Health and Life Sciences.

reading university health and life sciences building

Expected to be completed by summer 2019, the project forms part of the University’s £200m capital investment programme 2026: TRANSFORM, and once the new building is complete, the University’s older AMS Tower, Knight and Harborne Buildings will be demolished.

Stride Treglown are the lead architect, working with AECOM and WSP.

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