design solutions
Birkbeck pushes the boundaries for young brains research
Zöe Lawrence, Associate Director at the architects Bisset Adams, explains the challenges of designing a state of the art autism research facilty in central London
award from Innovative Medicines Initiative (EU-AIMS-2-Trials). This is the largest single grant for autism research in the world, and the largest for the study of any mental health disorder in Europe. In 2012, Bisset Adams carried out a feasibility study to identify the potential development opportunities within the Torrington Square precinct. Six areas were highlighted as potential opportunities for Birkbeck to explore. From this study, two options were explored further, analysing viability, area and spatial offering before agreeing on the chosen site. Architecturally, the challenge has been to sensitively restore a Grade II listed Bloomsbury Georgian townhouse, while also refurbishing and upgrading it to be
fit for a 21st Century state of the art research facility. The ToddlerLab project has required the team to design an annex to the Georgian townhouse to accommodate the visitor reception and lab spaces. The design team have worked closely with the conservation and planning officers at Camden Council to ensure a sensitive extension of the Georgian terrace and a visual link to the adjacent post-war Warburg Institute building. This new-build annex has allowed the team to design a series of environmentally and technically high-performance lab environments and resolve the floor levels to ensure all areas of the new and original buildings are fully accessible. The ToddlerLab will be located within
B
ISSET Adams was commissioned by Birkbeck, University of London to develop designs for the Centre for Brain & Cognitive Development (CBCD), Wohl Wolfson ToddlerLab in Torrington Square, in London’s Bloomsbury area. The research facility will be the world’s
first “ToddlerLab”. The new facility will provide a much-needed new academic space equipped to undertake ground- breaking research in autism, and other behavioural conditions, in children at an age much younger than previously possible. Once completed, the facility will complement the already world class research that is currently being carried out by the CBCD at Birkbeck. World-leading research on the early development of autism and other behavioural conditions has been carried out at the CBCD at Birkbeck since its foundation by Professor Mark Johnson FBA in 1998. The CBCD has attracted more than £25m in research funding and was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2006. In 2018, Birkbeck was one of a consortium of institutions selected to receive part of a €65m collaborative
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