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THE DISCOVERY CENTRE, CAMBRIDGE
FACTFILE: CONSULTING
Acoustic, lighting & sustainability consultant: BDP
Building physics & facade consultant: Emmer Pfenninger Partner AG Laboratory planning: Abell Nepp Architects
Fire protection & logistics consultant: ARUP
Signage consultant: NEW ID Traffi c consultant: WSP Gastronomy consultant: Tricon Foodservice Consultants
four fl oors serving its own specifi c purpose. The underground level is home to some of the necessary practical elements, such as a loading area, plant zone and scientifi c support facilities. The ground fl oor houses the building’s key amenities, including conference centre, auditorium, cafe and restaurant. These have easy access from the main entrance, as well as being equally accessible from all other parts of the building. The entrance is as open as possible, and home to various science displays, showcasing the work of the building’s scientists. For example, a beating ‘mini-heart’ is displayed in one of the laboratories, used to test the impact of new medicines on the human heart. The remaining two fl oors, both located within the ‘hovering disc’ portion of the building, house the rest of the laboratories and working spaces. In total the building is home to 16 laboratories and 4,000 employees including 2,200 scientists – putting it alongside the Francis Crick Institute in London as the biggest facility
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of its kind in Britain. The fi rst fl oor of the ‘disc’ element is connected through the ring area, and the second fl oor is fl ooded with natural light not only from the glass facade but also through skylights in the sawtooth roof. The building is also home to an amenities hub for employees which includes a gym, cafe and creche.
Materials matter
Although the DISC houses many distinct work environments, it was important to the project team to achieve design unity, and that overall, the building appears as “one characteristic structure.” This is partly achieved through careful choice of materials throughout the building, creating a cohesive look both externally and internally. Glazing is the dominate facade material, used to form the rectangular boxes that support the overall ‘disc,’ as well as forming the facade of the DISC itself. All the main partitions throughout the building are also formed of full height glass, to provide both transparency and seamless transitions
ADF MAY 2025
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