The Francis Crick Institute, London

Located adjacent to St. Pancras International station, the acclaimed Francis Crick Institute is the largest biomedical research centre in Europe. This multi-award winning laboratory houses an alliance of six leading medical and educational researchers in the UK.

The £700 million projects witnessed a joint venture between two leading architectural firms. HOK and PLP architects specified SAS International suspended metal ceilings throughout the project.

Reimagined as gull wings, ‘sculpted’ SAS bulkheads add drama and visual appeal to the large scale atriums. This high aesthetic ideal continues into the open plan offices and laboratories whose design encourages cross-functional collaboration.

SAS supplied a vast amount of SAS330 in order to preserve the clean monolithic aesthetic seen throughout the building. Easy to maintain, this hygienic and highly adaptable system allows for complete service integration and provides excellent acoustic absorption. Installed in the laboratories and research areas, SAS330 improves speech legibility and creates a quiet environment for total concentration. In addition to the standard system, SAS manufactured SAS330 Mega panels designed to conceal unsightly mechanical services.

The architects further specified SAS750 Tubeline to accomplish a sleek and contemporary interior. Tubeline contributes to the overall design intent of the project, combining design, functionality and form. Specifying silver and grey to avoid an overuse of clinical white, these colours carefully control light reflection and glare.

Nominated for a vast number of architectural awards, the Francis Crick Institute has redefined laboratory space in the UK.