Molecular Sciences Visitors’ Centre officially opens
The University of Birmingham officially opened the Molecular Sciences Visitors’ Centre on Thursday 2 December, celebrating the start of the newest campus development with Morgan Sindall Construction.
The £56 million flagship project will provide a designated hub for the University’s Schools of Chemistry, and Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES). The Molecular Sciences building will strengthen core research capabilities in the chemical, environmental and biomolecular sciences, fostering an environment for carrying out world-class research and education. Located on the former Munrow Sport Centre site, this building is the first of a potential four-phase R&D complex devoted to Molecular Sciences research.
Professor Sir David Eastwood, Vice Chancellor, said: “With world-class research and outstanding global education as our core mission, investment in high-quality facilities, space, and equipment are crucial to our teaching, research and innovation.
“The development of the Molecular Sciences Building demonstrates our continued commitment to providing the best facilities for staff, students and researchers, providing a vibrant space to encourage new ways of thinking while promoting interdisciplinary work. It will drive collaboration, facilitating greater opportunities between researchers, industry and partner institutions.
“We are delighted to once again work with Morgan Sindall Construction after the success of our Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL). We look forward to collaborating with them throughout the development process.”
Richard Fielding, area director for Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “The University of Birmingham has a deserved reputation as a world-leading, research-intensive university. By investing in this new facility, it is cementing that standing and ensuring the city region will be at the vanguard of physical sciences at a time when these specialisms are in real demand to help tackle the climate emergency.
“We’re incredibly proud to partner the University on this project.”
Designed by Associated Architects, the five-storey building features cutting-edge equipment for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry, chromatography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Morgan Sindall Construction has also worked closely on the design with the University’s Estates team and Associated Architects to minimise the building’s carbon footprint.
- For media enquiries please contact Danann Swanton, University of Birmingham, [email protected]
