International Centre for Life
Inspection of Bio Science Block and Visitors Area
Project Start Date: March 2004
Project Completion Date: March 2004 (completion within one week)
Project Valuation: £14,870
Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne
Hedley Solutions’ brief was to complete an initial inspection report for the Visitors attraction for the city councils venue entertainment licence, and a detailed periodic inspection of the Bio science technology centre.
Works were done out of hours to minimise disruption to staff and the public, and around special computer and laboratory facilities which could not be disturbed or turned off. Works were co-ordinated with ICL staff and there clients.
All recommendations and repairs to the installation were submitted after the inspection, and a scheme was agreed to carry out works causing the least disruption was agreed with the client and occupiers.
The Centre was officially opened by The Queen in 2000 and offers an annual programme of exhibitions, lectures, workshops and family events with over 200,000 visitors every year.
The Science Exhibition Centre's permanent exhibition focuses on different aspects of human life; its origins, adaptation to extreme environments, as well as some of the challenges humanity may face in the future. Every summer a major temporary exhibition is hosted, usually a touring exhibition.
During the winter months, smaller scale exhibitions are hosted, either on loan from other museums of created in-house.
The Biotechnology block is a purpose built centre of 60,000 sq ft. providing accommodation for new and established biotechnology companies.
The Incubator Suite is designed to allow start up and spin out companies to become established and realise potential commercial success. A shared laboratory facility is available for use of the incubator tenants. Advice and support is provided to assist new companies to grow.
The centre houses a dedicated molecular biology laboratory suite designed to GMP standards. It houses clients such as
• Aeirtec
• Applied Imaging
• Applied Neurodiagnostics
• CELS
• Cancer Research UK
• Codeworks
• IPPR North
• NESTA
• Protensive
• Virotec
• PULSE Scientific Recruitment