Advertisement

Plans submitted for 'transformative medicine' centre

Plans submitted for 'transformative medicine' centre in Littlemore <i>(Image: Savills)</i>
Plans submitted for 'transformative medicine' centre in Littlemore (Image: Savills)

The Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine submitted a planning application to Oxford City Council for a new research and development facility.

The facility has been designed by Foster + Partners and is devoted to re-imagining and redefining cancer treatment whilst enhancing overall human health, as well as global health policy.

The proposed layout represents an integrated and flexible approach, with research laboratories, a clinic, educational spaces, and auditoriums together with multifunctional areas arranged to encourage collaboration.

READ MORE: Bicester shops sexual assault claims denied at Oxford court

"This facility, its location, and design will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our vision of not just redefining how cancer and disease are treated but improving the lives of patients around the world," said Dr David Agus, founding Director and CEO of the Ellison Institute.

"We look forward to continuing discussions with Oxford City Council to ensure this project meets our combined high expectations environmentally, scientifically, and for the Oxford communities."

The proposed design reuses much of an existing building known as Littlemore House for multifunctional gathering space.

Extensions are planned to the existing structure to accommodate research laboratories, an imaging suite, and an oncology and wellness clinic that will treat patients on site.

The extensions mimic the C-shape of the original Littlemore House structure, connecting the two buildings and resulting in a courtyard at its centre.

A focal point of the new facility will be a sunken, 250-seat auditorium built directly at the property's core beneath the courtyard water feature, serving as a central gathering point and educational space for the scientists, researchers, clinicians, and interdisciplinary experts on site.

A newly constructed building planned for the adjacent Plot 18 property on The Oxford Science Park will be home to further research laboratories and educational spaces.

The design will reflect the materials used in the extension to Littlemore House to provide a strong visual connection between the two buildings.

While rectangular in structure, plans for the new building continue in the overall design's theme, with its research and educational spaces laid out purposefully to promote collaboration and flexibility.

Architectural features of this new building include a roof-top wooden geodesic dome overlooking surrounding tree canopy, providing another central gathering point for collaborative and educational uses.

An elevated, covered walkway is planned through existing and proposed tree cover between both sites to enhance access and allow for collaboration between buildings.

A wooden dome structure is set at the mid-point of the walkway's design to serve as a meeting space for staff and visitors that will encourage movement and connection between the two buildings.

With appreciation for the art and architecture of Oxford's existing buildings, the Institute has appointed a strong team that includes architect Norman Foster, landscape architect Fernando Caruncho, local project managers and town planners Ridge and Partners, and Laing O'Rourke for the construction.

 

Read more from this author

This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1