King's Cross super-lab architects experiment with new look to win backing

Published: 24 June 2010
by DAN CARRIER

THESE are the first pictures of the proposed façade for a “super-laboratory” in the heart of King’s Cross.

The development, put forward by a conglom­erate of leading research bodies called UKMRCI, is set to be considered by Camden Council’s planning committee in August. It would see the UK’s largest research centre built in Brill Place, opposite St Pancras train station.

The project has been dogged by controversy with campaigners claiming the land had originally been put aside for much-needed public housing. Other complaints include fears it will be a terrorist target, that the designs are too overbearing, and that will leave nearby homes nearby in shadow. 

Revised proposals have been completed for the front of the building by architects PRP after the firm originally involved in the project, HOK, took a back seat.

A spokesman for the scheme – funded by the Medical Research Council, The Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research and University College London – said the new designs would make the building much less conspicuous. 

“The scale has been reduced,” said the spokesman. “The roof at local level disappears behind a parapet. The building becomes more of a landmark while we have also reduced the scale of the building.”

He added that one-third of the building was now underground, and that the tweaked plans are a response to ongoing discussions with neigh­bours and the Town Hall.

The spokesman said: “We have also created better space on the western side. We have created a plaza that could be used as a community facility in response to the feedback we have had.”

UKMRCI have also confirmed that they will not offer any funds to­wards solving Camden’s social housing crisis as part of their bid for planning permission. The land had previously been earmarked for social housing and campaigners say the body must offer alternative sites.

The spokesman added they are “working hard” to ensure the project brings benefits to people living in the area.

He said: “We have always said affordable housing is something we cannot provide. We are a group whose expertise is in health research and education, not housing. 

“We are not a housing developer and we do not think it is appropriate to go and build housing, or offer money towards housing schemes.” 

The spokesman said the project’s funding is from central government and charities and said they hope to bring benefits through training.

They added: “We are in discussions with the council about how we can ensure there are meaningful opportunities for local people. During the construction phase we could offer apprenticeships and training opportunities. We will also advertise locally for posts.”

King’s Cross Green Party campaigner Natalie Bennett said: “The injection of expensive new architects has apparently made some changes to the appear­ance of the proposed laboratory, primarily a sweeping louvre covering the working parts of the roof, adding further to its already ludicrously malproportioned bulk.”