University College London Constructs Neuroscience Research Center

Published 5/31/2023

University College London - IoN-DRI

^{Courtesy of Hawkins\Brown.}

University College London - IoN-DRI

^{Courtesy of Hawkins\Brown.}

University College London - IoN-DRI

^{Courtesy of Hawkins\Brown.}

University College London - IoN-DRI

^{Courtesy of Hawkins\Brown.}

University College London - IoN-DRI

^{Courtesy of Hawkins\Brown.}

University College London - IoN-DRI

^{Courtesy of Hawkins\Brown.}

London

University College London is constructing IoN-DRI, a £281.6 million neuroscience center where 500 clinicians and investigators will work together to translate research discoveries into innovative solutions for patient care. The interdisciplinary complex will collocate the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (IoN), the UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI), and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. By redeveloping the former Eastman Dental Hospital site, UCL will integrate a new 188,000-sf building with the existing Queen Square House, where IoN-DRI will occupy an additional 27,000 sf over three floors.

The highly reconfigurable facility will feature open labs to promote interaction and discovery, with flexible building systems and floor plans ensuring ease of adaption to changing programs. The laboratories, write-up areas, technical suites, and collaboration spaces will be arranged around a central social landing, and on-floor service desks will promote a culture of communal sharing to maximize space utilization.

The project team includes design architect Hawkins\Brown, general contractor ISG, project and cost manager Arcadis, and engineering consultants Ramboll and Hoare Lea. Ground was broken in May of 2021 on the project, which is targeting BREEAM Outstanding sustainable design certification. Occupancy is expected in September of 2024.