A topping out ceremony has been held for the latest building on the University’s expanding science and technology campus at West Cambridge.

More than forty members of the planning, design and construction teams behind the Centre for the Physics of Medicine gathered at the site of the new building, whose ‘envelope’ is now complete, to celebrate the important milestone in the construction project. They were joined by academic staff who will be leading the science in the building, and members of the Steering Group.

Designed by leading national architects Building Design Partnership (BDP) with project supervision by Cambridge-based R.H. Partnership, the £12.5 million building next to the world-famous Cavendish Laboratory will house scientists from a range of disciplines.

Funding was provided by the Wolfson Foundation and the Government’s Science Research Infrastructure Fund.

As Physics of Medicine Director Athene Donald explained to the group, the building will encourage inter-disciplinary research to break new boundaries in medically relevant discoveries, applications and treatments. It aims to create an environment where researchers can freely mix, discuss and share ideas at the interface of the physical sciences, life sciences and clinical sciences.

Mike Hart, Managing Director of the main contractor Willmott Dixon, recalled times past when the topping out ceremony for a building would involve sacrificing the building’s designer to help ward off evil spirits, but assured the architects their lives were not in danger.

Director of the University’s Estate Management and Building Service, Michael Bienias, praised the team for the smooth and relatively problem-free construction phase to date:

“It’s clear from the record over the past two years that the two-stage Develop and Construct procurement process, developed by EMBS for University projects, has been delivering good quality architecture and functionality to programme and budget.”

The tailor-made process arranges for the Design Team, Contractor and Sub-Contractors to work together from an early stage, reducing confrontation while increasing buildability.

Fundraising is now under way for a second phase of the building.

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