IBI-Designed Laboratory Ready to Discover Cure for Dementia
Date
July 11, 2018
Cardiff, UK (July 11, 2018) – The IBI-designed UK Dementia Research Institute lab at Cardiff University is ready to work towards discovering a cure for dementia and Alzheimer’s. Our designers recently completed the interior scheme for this dedicated laboratory on behalf of the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI).
Driven by its mission to conquer dementia, the UK DRI is a £250m national initiative funded by the Medical Research Council, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. This flexible laboratory space will enable world-class clinicians to collaborate on ground-breaking research into a disease that, according to Alzheimer’s Research UK, will impact 152 million people globally by 2050.
The new lab is located in Cardiff University’s Hadyn Ellis building – another IBI project – within its Innovation Campus. It enabled our designers to put into practice their adaptable approach to research facilities, whereby they were able to easily convert dry-lab/office accommodation into wet-lab facilities, which included a clean room (a hyper-controlled environment in relation to levels and size of pollutants in the atmosphere). To support this research, they remodelled an existing office space to provide a bright, modern office environment which included personal office pods, a breakout kitchen area, vertical acoustic screens, an open plan, and cellular office space.
“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Cardiff University and the Founders of the UK DRI,” said Studio Director, Richard Golledge, “to support such important research that will transform the outlook for people with dementia.”
“Beyond our work with the UK DRI at Cardiff, our team is actively collaborating with healthcare professionals, researchers, and housing providers across the globe to shape buildings and communities that support dementia sufferers and their families, in the realisation that our design and technology expertise has a role to play in making our places and spaces dementia-friendly.”
Centre Director, Professor Julie Williams, and her colleagues at the University, have discovered over 27 risk genes for dementia which implicate a person’s susceptibility to developing Alzheimer’s disease. “Our scientists are committed to finding answers to preventing or treating dementia, and I am delighted that IBI Group has provided a pleasant, innovative and well-designed environment to support this challenging task.” Across the country, the UK DRI will bring together over 400 biomedical, care and research scientists to accelerate discoveries, treatment and care for the complex brain disorder.
