Project overview
The University of Cambridge’s Heart and Lung Research Institute, internally known as Project Atria, stands as a beacon of innovation on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. It represents Europe’s largest hub for cardiothoracic research, education, industry collaboration, and clinical care.
A collective endeavour between the University of Cambridge and the Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, this institute is intricately connected to the Royal Papworth Hospital via an underground tunnel.
The core mission of this development revolves around uniting research and clinical applications, particularly in the treatment of chronic conditions such as heart attacks, cystic fibrosis, atrial fibrillation, and pulmonary hypertension. Spanning an impressive 8,000 square metres across three floors, the Heart and Lung Research Institute (HLRI) houses cutting-edge research facilities.
These include wet and dry research laboratories catering to 22 principal investigators and 250 researchers, a clinical research facility, collaborative spaces fostering interactions between academia, healthcare providers, and industry experts, along with educational amenities such as seminar rooms and a lecture theatre. Notably, the facility boasts a distinctive 10-bed unit, designed specifically for pioneering first-in-patient studies of novel treatments.
Caption example
Caption example
Caption example
Caption example
The building itself is constructed using an in-situ concrete frame that is clad with a mixture of anodised bronze rain screen cladding panels and curtain walling. The cladding panels, positioned vertically, will create light patterns as the sun moves throughout the day.
Externally, the structure boasts a curvilinear design, mirroring the architectural style of both the Royal Papworth Hospital and the nearby AstraZeneca Headquarters.
Project team
Gary Wykes
Director
Gary joined SDC in 1989 and created the Special Projects Department in 1992. The division provides a bespoke and specialist service, utilising the support and resources already available to SDC as a Main Contractor. As a result of the Department’s ongoing success, Gary was promoted to the Board of Directors in January 2003. The Special Projects Department has since grown to comprise over 65 employees and reach a turnover of £30m each year.
Andrew Mitchell
Director
Andrew is a senior member of staff who holds the role of Director/Company Secretary. He joined SDC in 1994, and had therefore been with the company for almost thirty years. He plays a key role in ensuring that board procedures are both followed and regularly reviewed. The Chairman and Board Directors will look to the Company Secretary for guidance as to what their responsibilities are under the rules and regulations to which they are subject, and on how these responsibilities should be discharged.
Andrew Shiner
Director
Andy joined SDC as a Site Agent and rose through the ranks to Project Director, before taking on his current role as Board Director in 2020. The experience he gained in all three professions will undoubtedly assist him in leading this scheme. On a previous project for NIAB in Cambridge, Andy’s team were responsible for SDC’s highest Considerate Constructors’ score to date (90 out of 100) and a Runner’s Up Prize at the CCS National Awards in 2019.
Francis Shiner
Chairman
Since joining the company in 1983, Francis has assumed various roles, from Chief Surveyor to managing Director, ultimately assuming the position of Chairman in 2021.
Name surname
Title
Turpis consectetur facilisis diam lacus consequat fringilla tellus. Laoreet auctor odio neque auctor senectus libero a quisque amet. Augue sed vestibulum senectus.
Id scelerisque laoreet eget tempor adipiscing mattis. Nibh dolor imperdiet amet at. Tellus nulla diam volutpat venenatis amet faucibus ut. Ac rhoncus libero volutpat ipsum tristique convallis tellus. Tellus nulla diam volutpat venenatis amet faucibus ut. Ac rhoncus libero volutpat ipsum tristique convallis tellus.
