The Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building

Driving cutting-edge interdisciplinary research on the University of Warwick campus, the IBRB provides a setting where people can come together from across the University to engage with advanced scientific tools and interact with the buildings communal areas.

The building also serves as a training hub for future biomedical researchers, offering a world-class setting that integrates education with real-world research.

The delivery of this complex facility played a pivotal role in meeting the University’s sustainability goals. The design was adapted to align with advanced construction methodologies, maximizing the opportunities for offsite manufacture. By embracing this approach, we significantly reduced the building’s environmental impact, improved material efficiency, and shortened the construction timeline without compromising on quality.

This strategic adaptation not only strengthened the environmental credentials of the facility, but also secured the delivery of a highly functional space which would endure to meet all future needs of its occupants. Extensive user engagement throughout the process ensured that the vision for IBRB remained focused and that the resulting building fulfilled its mission to be a central resource for advancing health sciences.

The team’s focus on executional excellence and user engagement ensured the building’s design translated seamlessly into its built form and assimilated easily into its place in the community. Through its streamlined delivery, the project stayed on schedule, minimizing disruption and enabling early occupancy to support vital research activities.

The integration of offsite manufacturing into the construction process was instrumental in achieving a high-performance building that exemplifies quality, sustainability, and efficiency. The completed facility fosters collaboration and innovation, reinforcing the University of Warwick’s reputation as a leader in biomedical research, and highlighting how thoughtful delivery can provide significant enhancements to the impact of an architectural design.

Sustainability was woven into every aspect of the IBRB’s design, resulting in a BREEAM Excellent rating. Over 390 rooftop solar panels, acting as part of the buildings cladding, offset approximately 6,000 kg of CO₂ annually and support the university’s commitment to achieve net-zero carbon by 2030. The building’s construction, including sourcing sustainable timber and implementing offsite construction techniques, was a major component in successfully aligning the project with it’s climate goals.

These rigorous techniques significantly reduced the buildings carbon footprint by minimising waste, optimising material use, and reducing the number of deliveries. By following these principles and achieving a high standard of construction coordination, the IBRB stands as a significant sustainable development.