The National Horizons Centre

Sector Education, Higher Education, Science & Innovation, Science & Research
Client Teesside University

A new facility specialising in enhancing performance through digital technologies, equipping the UK’s bioscience sector with the full range of skills needed for the future.

The National Horizons Centre (NHC) is a state-of-the-art bioscience education, training, and innovation facility developed in Teesside University’s Central Park Campus in Darlington.

This new facility was developed specifically to target the growth of the UK biosciences sector by focusing on skill development and applying digital technologies to drive innovation

Value

Designed to provide comprehensive skills training and digital innovation, the facility houses 4,000m2 of flexible spaces, including CL2 laboratories, instrument rooms, and collaborative teaching facilities. Its high-quality, adaptable environment ensures it meets the evolving needs of students, researchers, and industry professionals to remain on the forefront of scientific advancement. However, the facility was designed to accomplish more than just being a powerhouse for research and development.

The design team took a big picture approach to ensure that the NHC considered the needs and wellbeing of the building’s occupants, as well as the health of the surrounding community. The landlocked plot, bordered by highways and other large buildings, required significant analysis and resourceful design solutions to maintain accessibility, improve visual prominence, and overcome isolation.

The final design leverages multiple frontages and a chamfered square form, not only avoiding isolation, but rather building up the ‘connective tissue’ between surrounding facilities such as the nursery, sports centre, and the nearby Centre for Professional and Executive Development (CPED). By creating these new public spaces and internally housing a large central atrium which provides social space for the building’s diverse users, the NHC completes a sense of community which goes beyond research and academics.

“I’d like to say a big thank you for your contribution and efforts in the successful delivery of the project, on time and budget. I think we all agree it is a stunning landmark building both inside and out, which you can all feel proud to have created and been involved with. ”
Chris Robinson Assistant Director of Major Projects, Teesside University
Impact

The NHC now serves as a key asset to the Teesside University campus and as a cornerstone of Darlington’s Central Park Regeneration Scheme, driving local investment and employment while boosting the regional biosciences capabilities. For the University, this new state-of-the-art facility also attracts students, researchers, and businesses from across the UK, fuelling the central engine behind innovation within the UK’s Life Science Sector – collaboration between education and industry.

The environmental impact of the NHC has been meticulously addressed through the building’s orientation and material selection. The blue brick façade not only reflects the character of the neighbouring CPED building to provide a cohesive campus visual but also contributes to the structure’s thermal efficiency. The careful allocation of 40% glazing ensures ample natural light, improving energy performance and creating a pleasant, productive environment for its high-performance occupants.

Sustainability

Sustainability was a major consideration of the NHC’s design and delivery, and achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating required integrating sustainable practices from the outset. Features such as energy-efficient glazing, optimal orientation for daylight access, and resource-efficient construction methods showcase the team’s technical expertise and commitment to climate-positive outcomes.

Cost control measures were also seamlessly integrated with sustainability goals. Early-stage planning ring-fenced costs for key BREEAM criteria, ensuring that the ambitious environmental targets were not compromised by budget constraints. This approach not only secured a high-performance building but also set a precedent for sustainable development both within the university’s broader campus strategy, and Darlington’s regeneration strategy.

 

Details

Information

Scope Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Design, Workplace and Laboratory Design RIBA Stages 1-6. Status Completed Completion Date 2019 Location Darlington Value £11m

Collaborators & Partners

Landscape Architect Fairhursts Interior Designer Fairhursts Principal Contractor Wates Structural Engineer Tetra Tech Mep Engineer Tetra Tech Fire Engineer Hoare Lea Environmental Consultant Buro Happold QS Summers Inman

Awards

Constructing Excellence North East: Integration And Collaboration - Shortlisted 2020 North East Property Awards: Design Excellence - Shortlisted 2019
Get in touch:
Mark, Managing Director, Fairhursts

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