16 September 2011
Daresbury SIC moves forward with Vanguard
A major new £8.5m building offering office and laboratory space
focused on science and technology at Daresbury Science and
Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC) has now been completed.
Vanguard House has been specifically designed to provide
complementary grow-on space for the circa 100 businesses located in
the Daresbury Innovation Centre, and to attract new high-tech firms
to the Cheshire campus. Daresbury SIC is one of two national
science and innovation campuses and is internationally-recognised
for its unique platform in supporting innovation and collaboration
between hi-tech businesses, universities and research
organisations.
The building, originally funded and built by Northwest Regional
Development Agency (NWDA), will be owned and managed by the
Daresbury SIC private-public sector joint venture, which comprises
Langtree, the Science and Technology Facilities Council, and Halton
Borough Council.
Wrapped in aluminium cladding that adapts its colour depending
on daylight levels, the eye-catching innovative structure provides
36,000 sq ft of office and laboratory space, with units ranging
from 1,010 to 2,486 sq ft.
The three-storey building has an excellent BREEAM rating and its
sustainability credentials are reflected in a number of
environmental features including a ground source heat pump to
reduce energy consumption.
John Downes, chairman of Daresbury SIC and managing director at
joint venture partner Langtree, said: "The campus exists to support
the growth of high-tech companies through innovation and
collaboration and Vanguard House will further strengthen our
position at the forefront of the regional and national knowledge
community.
"This facility will provide an essential platform for
cutting-edge enterprises, both from within and outside the Campus,
to extend their networks and find new opportunities for development
and investment."
"There is already a buzz about Vanguard House and we have had
numerous enquiries from innovative firms in fields such as
biomedical technologies, digital solutions and instrumentation. The
broad variety of high quality companies interested in the building
gives us great confidence that Vanguard House will be as successful
as the other buildings on the Campus."
Vanguard House becomes the third building in the Daresbury SIC
joint venture portfolio, joining the Cockcroft Institute and
Daresbury Innovation Centre.
Professor Colin Whitehouse, Deputy Chief Executive of STFC and
DSIC Joint Venture Board member, said: "Daresbury has an
international reputation for cutting edge, innovative science and
Vanguard House will enable yet more high tech businesses,
entrepreneurs and innovators to join our dynamic and vibrant
community. The unique combination of scientific, business and
networking support at the Campus makes it the ideal environment for
developing new technologies, products, services and jobs that will
benefit both the UK economy and society."