A new research facility built by Kier has won a prestigious architectural prize.

The Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge was presented with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) East Building of the Year Award.

The RIBA Awards have been running since 1966 and the winning schemes set the standard for great design all across the country regardless of their shape, size, budget or location.

Kier completed the Sainsbury Laboratory, which was designed by architects Stanton Williams, on schedule and to budget in December 2010.


The new laboratory, which was specifically designed to house up to 120 scientists studying plant development, was made possible by an £82m gift from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation. The building also provides a home for the University Herbarium, which contains over one million pressed and dried plant specimens from all over the world, including those collected by Charles Darwin on the Beagle voyage.

The surrounding botanic garden provides the inspiration for the design of the Sainsbury Laboratory. The main working spaces are on the first floor and have generous natural light and views across the garden. Meeting places, café facilities and study areas are positioned around the central court, which connects laboratories and social places, and extends out into the network of pathways within the botanic garden itself.

Commenting on the award winners, RIBA president Angela Brady said: "These well designed buildings will add huge value to the lives, prosperity, health and pride of their owners, users and communities and I am delighted with year's selection."

(CD)