Science and Academic Quarter, Southmead Hospital

A new quarter combining laboratory, research and learning facilities allowing a new form of collaboration between the region’s health and academic institutions

Avanti Architects played a key role in masterplanning and delivering the Science and Academic Quarter at Southmead Campus, covering 26 acres and 200,000m 2 . This quarter brought together dispersed services, creating a central hub for laboratories, research, and learning. Collaboration among multiple NHS Trusts, three prominent higher education institutions, and the UK Health Security Agency was essential for this integration.

The development consists of three finger developments: the Learning & Research and Pathology buildings. These structures house category 2 and category 3 laboratories, including the Bristol Genetics Laboratory and University of Bristol research labs. The buildings also include offices, seminar rooms, study areas, a library, lecture theatre, and administrative spaces.

We also successfully executed the detailed design and delivery of the Learning and Research Building, achieving an outstanding BREEAM Excellent rating. Subsequently, we led the concept design and coordination of Pathology Phase 1, followed by the detailed design and successful delivery of Pathology Phase 2.

The Learning & Research Centre combines a centre for education and training for postgraduate students from University of Bristol and the staff of Southmead Hospital, and a Medical Sciences Research Centre for the University of Bristol.

The new facility integrates custom laboratory facilities (Category 2 and 3), seminar rooms, a lecture theatre, a library, student facilities and training suites particular to resuscitation, clinical skills, manual handling and IT. The building also includes a new Regional Quality Control Laboratory for the Trust for use by pharmaceutical departments across the South West.

The building achieved a BREEAM Excellent sustainability award and includes a site-wide art strategy animating shared spaces including the toplit central atrium. The design of the building set the template for the future phases, animated by a shared language of brick, shading elements and coloured glazing.