GSSArchitecture have been commissioned to deliver a £50m National Innovation Centre in central Newcastle. The new innovation centre will be one of the most significant developments in the region and is aimed at providing a range of bespoke, flexible facilities that will promote innovation, engage with local and national businesses, and support the development of new technology and innovations in the fields of ageing sciences and data.
As home to Newcastle University’s teams from the National Innovation Centre for Ageing (NICA) as well as the National Innovation Centre for Data (NICD), the National Innovation Centre will bring together businesses, academics and members of the public to collaborate and support the research and development of new ageing and data products and services.
NICA works with research specialists, businesses and the public to facilitate the commercialisation of key products, services and technologies that will help people live better, longer lives due to the needs and demands of an ageing population. NICA will share the new innovation centre with NICD, who work with partners in industry, the public sector and academics to exploit opportunities offered by the explosion in digital data.
Due to be complete in 2019, the internal spaces will provide innovative, engaging environments that are highly flexible and easy to reconfigure. Public access exhibition, event and meeting spaces will also be designed to encourage wider interaction with local businesses, industry partners, consumers, members of the public and visitors by promoting visibility between spaces and using carefully considered positioning to create a sense of openness and accessibility.
