Tetra Tech designs life science centre of excellence in Darlington

One year from now, Teesside University’s National Horizons Centre (NHC) will stand completed on Central Park in Darlington. We are thrilled to have designed and supported this major development, which will address the growth needs of some of the most rapidly expanding UK technology sectors.

The NHC will specialise in providing the full range of skills for the bio industries, and in applying digital technologies to improve performance and productivity in advanced manufacturing. It also offers enormous value in supporting employment, innovation, and business growth in the Tees Valley and wider north.

We committed several of our talented teams toward this project to oversee the design and ensure the client received exactly what they wanted. The teams included mechanical and electrical, civil and structural (on which we worked with the main contractor, Wates), plus acoustics, planning, and environmental.

Our design blended teaching, learning and collaboration spaces with hi-tech laboratories and a state-of-the-art computing suite. This is especially significant, given the centre’s location at the heart of an ecosystem of nationally important projects, including the National Biologics Manufacturing Centre and the University’s Centre for Professional and Executive Development.

The project was funded by a £17.5m grant from Tees Valley Combined Authority and over £3.1m from the 2014-2020 European Regional Development Fund.

Supporting this programme has proven crucial at a time when industry needs students to grow practical and problem-solving skills.

For a fly-through of the NHC, check out the video demonstration below.

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