BBSRC National Vaccinology Centre: The Jenner Building
The BBSRC National Vaccinology Centre: The Jenner Building is part of phase two of the redevelopment of the Pirbright site. It accommodates in vitro research and supports in vivo research activities, primarily performed by the Avian Viral Disease Programme in addition to those research activities which do not require the high level of containment that the Plowright Building can offer. The Jenner Building replaces existing laboratory space at Pirbright (and the now closed Compton campus) and is home to 100 scientists.
The Jenner Building was officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal on 24 March 2017.
Did you know?
- Standing at 14.6 metres tall, the building has 3,700 metres of floor space across two floors - which is equivalent to 19 tennis courts.
- Architects NBBJ’s and construction company John Sisk & Son’s have created an extremely energy-efficient building that consumes 20% less energy than the buildings it replaces. 283 photo voltaic panels were installed on the roof.
- Reduced energy consumption is achieved through exposed concrete soffits for thermal mass heating, automated façade vents for night-time cooling, rainwater harvesting and air source heat pumps. The building achieved a BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating.
- Landscape designers Robert Myers Associates created the outside environment including a wildflower meadow to the south that was awarded to the Institute for winning the CIRIA biodiversity BIG Challenge Awards. It is a haven for wildlife and insects.
- The Jenner building features shared, open plan laboratories that can each house between 6 to 30 scientists, encouraging interaction and collaboration. Specialised labs include a bio-imaging, cell culture suite and a Home Office incubation laboratory.
Awards
- Finalist: Construction News Awards 2017, Project of the Year (between £10m - £20m)
- Shortlisted: UKSPA S-LAB Awards 2017, Life Sciences Research Building
Jenner building photography by Richard Chivers