AstraZeneca Global R&D Centre and HQ Tops Out

AstraZeneca marked a key milestone in its successful move to Cambridge with the topping out of its new state-of-the-art strategic R&D centre and global corporate headquarters at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC). The company, including its biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, already has 2,000 employees actively engaged in the city’s vibrant scientific, academic, clinical and business community. Occupation of the site will begin in stages in 2018.

The topping out milestone represents the completion of the new building’s concrete frame, as the focus of construction work now turns to installing the roof, external glass cladding and starting the internal fit out.

The building has been designed to reflect AstraZeneca’s collaborative approach to research. Open laboratories and transparent glass walls will enable new ways of working across disciplines and with external partners whilst a central courtyard, open to the public, will put science on full display.

BDP is the lead consultant for the project and is also responsible for the executive architecture, combined engineering, landscape, interiors, acoustics and specialist lighting services and for delivering concept architect Herzog & de Meuron’s vision.