Cardiff University Innovation Campus
Location Cardiff University Innovation Campus , Maindy Park , Cardiff , CF24 4HQ
Contact Details Sally O ’ Connor , Project Manager , Innovation Central , Cardiff Innovation System . oconnors @ cardiff . ac . uk , 029 2087 0305
Dr Nick Bourne , Deputy Director , Commercial Development , bourne @ cardiff . ac . uk 029 2087 5042 http :// www . cardiff . ac . uk / innovation / campus-investment
Introduction
Cardiff University is making a £ 300m investment in a new Innovation Campus . The investment will promote Cardiff University ’ s role as a centre of innovation , and will be an important element in the cityregion ’ s landscape .
In the latest UK research assessment exercise ( REF2014 ) the University was ranked in the top five for the quality of its research and second in the UK for the impact of its research .
An ambitious development plan for a new campus on the Maindy Road site will transform an area of Cardiff from a disused , former industrial space into a range of state-of-the-art facilities .
The first phase has brought together experts researching key medical conditions such as schizophrenia , Alzheimer ’ s disease and stem cell cancer research for the first time in a purpose-built building . A new Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre ( CUBRIC ) is due to open in Summer 2016 . It will become one of Europe ’ s flagship facilities in brain research imaging .
The current development will see two new 12,000m2 buildings . The first building , Innovation Central , will be home to the world ’ s first social science research park ( SPARK ) which co-locates applied social science researchers with external partners to work on societal grand challenges in innovative and collaborative ways .
The building will also house an Innovation Centre that will provide serviced office , laboratory and shared workspaces for knowledgebased , innovation-led organisations , delivered on a commercial basis ( c . 2,900m2 lettable space ) with the value proposition of :
• High quality modern offices / laboratory space with access to amenities including catering and social facilities
• Co-location with Cardiff University – proximity to researchers and other collaborators at a prestigious address
• Access at competitive rates to University services and facilities such as Central Biotechnology Services and the additive manufacturing labs
The second building , Translational Research Facility , located next to Innovation Central will be home to two world-leading institutes providing cutting-edge facilities that help researchers and industry work together . The first , Cardiff Catalysis Institute is already established as one of the world ’ s top five catalysis research centres , and the leading UK facility in this area , whilst the Institute for Compound Semiconductors , a new partnership with global semiconductor firm IQE will position Cardiff as the UK and European leader in compound semi-conductors .
Location The innovation campus is located in close proximity to the City Centre . It has good road and rail links with easy access to the M4 . The nearest train station , Cathays is a 10-minute walk . Cardiff Central train station is approximately 1.5 miles and a 2-hour direct train to London Paddington .
Enterprise and Innovation at Cardiff We have a thriving innovation culture and excel in connecting industry , business , and government with our academics , nurturing student entrepreneurship and championing grass-roots business development .
We are very keen for Innovation Centre tenants to connect with the expertise and res ources available in the University , whether that is through our broad ranging academic expertise , access to our scientific equipment and testing facilities , access to commercial development and on-site professional high-street advice or through connecting with our students for placements and Knowledge Transfer Partnership opportunities .
We are working with Architects Hawkins Brown and a wider design team project managed by Buro Four to design a building that is fit for purpose .
The building is due to be completed and ready for occupation in Autumn 2018 .
66 UKSPA Directory 2016 / 17 Associate Member • Wales