Landmark extension marks expansion of renowned diabetes research centre

Stephen George + Partners (SGP) is delighted to announce the completion of a c£5.5million refurbishment and extension project at Leicester General Hospital which will deliver a new state-of-the art diabetes research facility for the internationally acclaimed Leicester Diabetes Centre. The extension creates new offices, staff rooms, kitchens and clinical research rooms for the nationally recognised and award-winning health research unit.

Explains Steve Batson, Studio Director at SGP: “We are immensely proud to have been asked to design such a landmark extension for the Leicester Diabetes Centre, using inspirational architecture to exemplify the LDC centre of excellence. The LDC is a collaboration between the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and embodies what is most innovative in a partnership between the NHS and academia. This expansion is the result of a successful funding award, recognising the Centre’s valuable research and will enable the LDC to continue to positively impact the care of people with diabetes and other long-term conditions, not only in Leicester, but also throughout the UK and overseas.”

The three-storey extension, sits on a 10,410 sqm site nestled within the original building’s ‘H’ shaped footprint. Stepped back to allow light and air to circulate, the scale, articulation, building height and fenestration have all been carefully composed to make best use of space, avoid overcrowding and remain subservient to the existing structure. Silver profiled steel cladding delivers the contemporary aesthetic and brings natural daylight into the new extension, as well as helping define its own layer in the timeline of the Diabetes Centre’s story. SGP has designed impressive full height windows in the south elevation to respond to the aspect, being visible from a significant distance and one of the first views when entering the Leicester General Hospital site.

Continues Hing Ow, Associate at SGP: “This was a complicated refurbishment and build in a constrained plot on a busy hospital site. We worked closely with contractor Stepnell Ltd to achieve delivery in an ambitious timeframe of 52 weeks. Although not required by the client, we used a federated model in Revit to help co-ordinate the build and improve communications between all parties.”

Concludes Steve: “This new facility is the latest step in a continuing journey in the development ofdiabetes research at LGH, which has grown from one research nurse to over two hundred colleaguesover the last 12 years. The importance and respect for the research done at LGH is embodied in our

design for the centre and in the vision we have put forward for its future, including a stunning glazedand louvred atrium enclosing the southern courtyard with a garden entrance zone, and newwalkway.”