Institue of Animal Health lab funded by government, Biological Sciences Research Council and Skills Large Facilities Capital Fund

A £100m laboratory built by Shepherd Construction for the Institute for Animal Health was topped out this week by David Willetts, minister for universities and science.

The 11,065m²  laboratory, which is expected to achieve a “very good” BREEAM rating, will accommodate 150 scientists researching viral diseases in livestock.

Architects Wilson Mason and Partners have designed the building which has a central hub and three wings.

The project in Pirbright, Surrey is funded by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the business department’s Large Facilities Capital Fund.

Mark Perkins, chief executive of Shepherd Built Environment Division, said: “The project is complex and has necessitated extremely close collaboration across a number of Shepherd Group companies right from the start to ensure the building’s frame is configured to suit the services requirement.”