Leading the design team for Queen’s University Innovation Centre
We have been appointed to lead the project design team for Queen’s University Institute of Research Excellence for Advanced Clinical Healthcare (iREACH).
As part of our remit, we will deliver project management, cost management, building information modelling (BIM) and health and safety advice while leading a unique design team for the research facility including TODD Architects, Sheppard Robson and Arup.
As part of the Belfast Region City Deal, the UK government and Northern Ireland Executive are providing £170m funding towards three Queen’s-led Centres - the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, the Global Innovation Institute, and iREACH, while an additional £30m will be invested by the university and its partners.
An investment of £52m will be made to iREACH, an NHS, industry, and research facility, on the Lisburn Road beside Belfast City Hospital. Facilitating world-class clinical research to deliver better treatments to improve people’s health, iREACH will provide an environment where Northern Ireland’s ability to test new drugs, medical technology, care pathways and societal interventions will be transformed.
The appointment of the project design team is a major milestone in the delivery of iREACH, which is due to open early 2026.
Public consultation for all three innovation centres will take place over the next few months, with planning applications set to be lodged before the end of this year.
Damien Toner, Director of Estates, said:
The appointment of the design teams for the Queen’s-led Innovation Centre marks a major step forward in our plans to open cutting-edge facilities under the Innovation Pillar of the Belfast Region City Deal.
“It’s an exciting time for the projects, which represent a total investment of over £200m from City Deal, the university and its partners. These are the most ambitious building projects we’ve overseen in recent years.”
Kevin McNaull, Associate Director said: “This world-class iREACH innovation centre plays a key role in the wider regeneration plans for the region. While leading on project and cost management, BIM and health and safety advice, we have also formed a highly experienced, multi-disciplinary team comprising architects, TODD Architects and Sheppard Robson, and engineering experts, Arup.
Our combined wealth of knowledge and expertise in the healthcare and life science sectors, as well as our digital led approach, will deliver a centre that will have a huge impact on the wider region and improve the lives of local people.
