Where building design inspires medical breakthroughs

Project: The Pears Building, Institute of Immunity & Transplantation

Award: Healthcare, Silver, 2022

Location: London, UK 

Architect: Hopkins Architects

Client: Royal Free Charity, University College London and The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Pears Building is a state-of-the-art facility which accommodates both immunology research and treatment facilities in one distinctive new building. As well as space for 200 researchers and offices for the Royal Free Charity, there’s a new 35-bed Patient Hotel for outpatients. 
Scientific research has been shown to benefit enormously from regular formal and informal interaction between research groups so opportunities for spontaneous meeting have been built into the building design, to facilitate interaction between departments and colleagues amongst those at the cutting edge of medical research.
Given the energy demands of science-focussed buildings, the design team considered sustainability as an integral part of the design from the outset, achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating. Materials have been chosen to consider context, durability, thermal performance, sustainability credentials, ease of maintenance and cost.

Design highlights

Lab and write-up spaces are arranged around a large central atrium which operates as the active heart of the building and incorporates break out spaces and booths for informal meeting and professional collaboration. 
A large, flexible foyer space on the ground floor is designed to be used for a variety of events whether academic, social or for charity fund-raising. A new main entrance and café is shared by the public, visitors and staff, giving an open and accessible identity to the Institute and the wider hospital.

Photo credit: Janie Airey