Partner Article

Manchester’s Citylabs 1.0 wins award

Designed by Sheppard Robson for Manchester Science Partnerships, Citylabs 1.0 has won the Architect’s for Health Design Award for Conversion/ Infill at the European Health Design Congress. The award win is the third in a row for Citylabs 1.0, which picked up Best Commercial Project at both the Insider Awards and RICS Awards earlier this year.

The winners of the Architects for Health Awards were announced at the European Healthcare Design Congress being held this week at the Royal College of Physicians in London. The aim of Architects for Health is to promote and campaign for better healthcare environments through bringing together organisations and individuals who share an interest in excellence in the planning and design of healthcare facilities.

Citylabs 1.0, located on Oxford Road, is a new concept in high-specification, flexible office and laboratory space, providing 130,000ft² of bespoke-built biomedical facilities. The new facility comprises the complex retention and renovation of the Grade II listed former Royal Eye Hospital and the creation of a new innovative building to the rear. The project sits in the heart of Corridor Manchester within Europe’s largest clinical and academic campus, made up of Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, and responds to the need for high quality accommodation catering for a full spectrum of occupier requirements.

Citylabs 1.0 was opened by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osbourne, who described the scheme as “an excellent example of partnership between academics, clinicians and industry driving innovation and investment in health science.”

Tony O’Brien, Partner at Sheppard Robson, said: “It’s fantastic that the project continues to be recognised and it’s even more satisfying that the awards are from diverse institutions that acknowledge excellent design as well as the contributions the project makes to Manchester’s science and commercial offer.”

Thomas Renn, Associate Commercial Director at Manchester Science Partnerships, said: “We are delighted that Citylabs 1.0 continues to be recognised for its innovative public-private model and strong aesthetic and healthcare-focussed design.

“The development of innovation clusters, in sectors closely aligned to the research strengths of our universities and health institutions, and to the key drivers of economic growth, is central to our forward strategy for MSP.

“Working with the right partners to create places where this can be achieved has been fundamental to Citylabs 1.0’s success.”

Keith Chantler, Director of Innovation at Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Through Citylabs, we’ve created new facilities and an environment that brings the NHS and health tech companies together.

“Located at the heart of the clinical academic campus this is designed to accelerate innovation in the development of new diagnostics, devices and services, with improved care for patients front of mind.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sheppard Robson .