Best New Building (over £3m construction value)
There was one commendation and one winner in this category.
Winner: Ray Dolby Centre – a major research facility demonstrating excellence in environmental engineering.
The Ray Dolby Centre is a world-leading research facility delivering stringent technical performance, and a public-facing hub for collaborative work and study. Central to the emerging Cambridge West Innovation District, it represents a leap forward for science in the UK.
Client: The University of Cambridge
Main Contractor: Bouygues UK
Architect, Interior Designer and Lead Consultant: Jestico + Whiles
Technical Architect: Jacobs
Civil, Structural and Vibration Engineer, Fire Engineer, Acoustic Consultant: Ramboll
M&E Engineer, AV Consultant, IT/Security Consultant, BREEAM Assessor: Hoare Lea
Landscape Architect (excluding JJ Thomson Gardens): Plincke
Cost Manager: AECOM
Project Manager, NEC Supervisor, Principal Designer (CDM): Currie & Brown
Accessibility Consultant: David Bonnett Associates
Catering Consultant: Tricon
Lighting Designer: Studio Fractal
Planning Consultant: University of Cambridge Estates Division
Public Artist: Troika
Art Consultant: Contemporary Art Society
Image credit: View into the public wing at dusk. © Kilian O’Sullivan
Judges citation:
“This, the third Cavendish laboratory, is a stunning addition to the West Cambridge site, not only aesthetically with its polished white concrete exterior, not only symbolically with its welcoming approach to public access to large parts of the building, but also as an exemplar of function-led design, embracing and meeting the highly demanding needs of the research and teaching community, from ‘clean (filtered air) rooms’ to areas of nil vibration, to the specific research and experimental requirements of microscopy, optics and semi-conductors to name but a few. It’s all electric and deliberately adaptable to meet future needs. We loved the airy interior with its displays of ‘Old Cavendish’ memorabilia, its copper ceilings and the chatter of visitors.”
