University of Oxford Biochemistry Building : Architecture

University of Oxford New Biochemistry Building 2009 Hawkins\Brown photo : Tim Crocker The University of Oxford's Biochemistry Department, designed by Hawkins\Brown, has won a 2009 RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Award. images : Keith Collie The new state-of-the-art research building achieves a new ethos of "interdisciplinary working" where the exchange of ideas is promoted in a large collective and connective environment. The new £49 million 12,000 sq m facility deliberately challenges public perceptions of the secretive nature of research. Elevations are transparent with research spaces brought to the external face, making a political point about the value and integrity of biomedical research. images : Keith Collie The new Biochemistry's art programme 'Salt Bridges' was a major constituent in providing this creative and thought-provoking environment, bringing artists in direct collaboration with researchers within the department to produce site-specific works exploring the dynamic interaction between artistic practice and scientific research to complement the architecture. The result has been a series of site-specific installations - by artists Nicky Hirst, Peter Fraser, Tim Head and Annie Cattrell - which integrate seamlessly with the building and its interiors. images : Keith Collie University of Oxford Biochemistry Building images / information received 010709 University Buildings