Newcastle national innovation centre approved

Permission has been granted for the construction of a £50M national innovation centre in Newcastle.

The project will be the third new building, so far, for Newcastle University on the city centre Science Central site. Construction is likely to begin early in the New Year with completion set for 2020.

The building will be home to the University’s teams from the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA), the National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD) and the National Institute for Health Research Innovation Observatory (NIHRIO).

NICA works with research specialists, businesses and the public to facilitate the commercialisation of key products, services and technologies to help people live better, longer lives.

It brings together industry, experts and the public under one roof to drive the collaborative development of new products and services

Professor Mike Catt of NICA said: “The £50M national innovation centre, on Science Central will bring together businesses, academics and the public to support the research and development of new ageing and data-oriented products and services.”

The new building will act as a beacon for innovation, attracting companies from around the world, and placing the North East as a global leader in this vital area, according to Professor Paul Watson of NICD.

Designs for the building have been developed by a team at GSSArchitecture, based at Holts Yard, Newcastle, who have applied findings from global research into the design and layout of the centre as a catalyst for innovation.

Jonathan Hunter, Partner at GSSArchitecture said: “The GSS designed Innovation Centre represents true destination architecture through a simple, yet powerful, triangular design form. The building will be both distinct and highly identifiable and will be a vibrant landmark.

“The design makes the most of the public realm and encourages the external landscape to flow into and integrate with the National Innovation Centre, encouraging public interaction and creating a welcoming and inviting arrival experience.

“The building is publicly accessible at ground and first floor, with a range of innovation suites and collaboration facilities on the upper three floors. In all areas, the use of circulation space and common areas has been maximised to promote integration and collaboration resulting in the cross-fertilisation of ideas that are the bedrock of innovation.”