The University of Warwick’s new Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Building (IBRB) has been shortlisted for the West Midlands Building of the Year award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

With the support of Hawkins\Brown, the impressive £54.3m building brings to life the University’s commitment to delivering world-leading research in neuroscience, microbiology and infection, cell biology and disease models. The new building helps to create a dynamic teaching and learning environment for students studying life sciences and medicine.

Commenting on the shortlisting, Professor Gavin Perkins, Dean of Warwick Medical School said: “We are delighted with the recognition of our new home in IBRB in the RIBA regional shortlisting. The building is a great research hub and brings staff and students together in one collaborative space.”

Professor Miriam Gifford, Head of School of Life Sciences added: “We are extremely excited to hear that the IBRB is shortlisted for the RIBA regional awards. The environment that was created when the building was opened has provided an inspiring space for research and teaching. The building has enabled collaboration with colleagues across Life Sciences and Warwick Medical School and more broadly it has enabled a community of scientists across many disciplines to be formed.”

The IBRB will also be home to a large-scale art installation by artist Rana Begum. Thomas Ellmer, Exhibitions Curator at the Warwick Arts Centre, commented: “We’re thrilled to include Rana Begum’s No.1250 Mesh (2022) in the University of Warwick’s new IBRB, and to see the building shortlisted for the West Midlands 2024 RIBA Award. Begum is an artist working at the leading edge of art & architecture; therefore, it feels only right that we locate this beautiful sculpture within a new building dedicated to delivering world-leading research.”

The IBRB is an environmentally sustainable building and demonstrates the university’s continued commitment to addressing the climate emergency.

The building has five-storeys of laboratories, each floor representing a different theme: neuroscience, infection, cell biology/development, plus a 400-seat lecture theatre and collaborative learning and social spaces.