Building in innovation

When Gordon Brown came to Oxford last Friday to talk about the importance of scientific research in his Romanes lecture, and particularly how science can provide a route out of the global economic crisis, he described how he wanted to make Britain the best place to carry out scientific research.

He added that ‘a vital ingredient of our success is that UK scientists remain among the most outward-looking and globally connected – as I’ve seen today, visiting laboratories and institutions at this University.’

And where did he visit to show how Britain could be the best place to carry out research? The new Biochemistry building at Oxford University.

The new £49 million building for the Department of Biochemistry, which opened last December, was designed by Hawkins\Brown architects  – quite a risk in that they had never designed scientific facilities before. But the result is remarkable. Not only is it a striking building, but it aims to provide an environment that enables the project of science going on inside.

‘The aim was not just to re-accommodate existing activities in this new building,’ explains Denis O’Driscoll, Department Administrator. ‘Instead it is designed for innovation – we wanted to reduce the doorstep to discovery. It’s an aspirational building that will enable better science.’

The building is certainly immediately distinctive, with its glass exterior and coloured glass fins that appear to change with the sunlight. However, it is inside the building that the real difference from functional, drab science buildings becomes apparent.

A giant, open atrium in the centre of the building extends from the basement floors up to the roof [see this virtual tour]. It is intended to bring all the researchers and students in the building into regular contact, and so encourage collaboration and the swapping of ideas. Harry Potter-style staircases criss-cross the atrium. Breakout spaces with sofas and magazines allow conversation. And all the offices have glass walls. There’s even a grand piano, for goodness sake.

Nature was impressed: ‘The innovative design… ensures that the 300 researchers working there communicate as much as possible,’ writes Georgina Ferry. ‘Everyone is visible. Open staircases clad in warm wood fly across the atrium at odd angles, and each floor hosts a cluster of inviting squashy leather chairs and coffee tables, giving the impression of an upmarket hotel.’

‘This is a beautiful, innovative and functional building. It allows conversations to happen that wouldn’t otherwise take place in a thousand years,’ says Professor Kim Nasmyth, Head of the Department of Biochemistry.

‘The building means we don’t need email to communicate between ourselves anymore,’ he adds. ‘Email is very useful if you want to contact a colleague in Seattle, but useless in your own building.’

Thanks to an art programme ‘Salt Bridges’, the building is also full of exciting contemporary art. Four artists were commissioned to produce works based on themes they took from discussions with biochemists in the department.

For example, you enter the building beneath a frontage covered in giant inkblot patterns by Nicky Hurst that challenge you to find forms in the blots, as well as finding the front door. Then there is a high-flying sculpture by Annie Cattrell with over 150 iridescent birds descending from the atrium ceiling, and what caught my attention most of all: a captivating circle of constantly changing lights by Tim Head that somehow represents protein folding patterns.

While the artists have largely created uplifting artworks inspired by scientific elements, we will have to see how much good science is inspired in turn by being around the art. But certainly, if innovative concept and design can enable the business of science, then we can look forward to many novel breakthroughs coming out of the Biochemistry department. 

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