Sainsbury Wellcome Centre wins building award

The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour at UCL (SWC) has been named Major Building Project of the Year (over £50m) at the British Construction Industry Awards (BCIA) 2016. The BCIA recognise and reward excellence in the design, construction and delivery of buildings and civil engineering works. The Centre competed for the title against a shortlist including the Birmingham New Street station, Grand Central redevelopment, Here East in Stratford and Alder Hey Children's Health Park. The winning buildings were chosen by a panel of judges, who visited each of the shortlisted developments and held's with the companies. In awarding the Centre, the judges said:  'This truly is an intelligent building and one which has attracted the leading researchers in this field making UCL now the place to do Neuroscience Research-poetic and pragmatic, it's a very worthy winner.' The Centre on the corner of Howland Street and Charlotte Street was completed in February 2016 and officially opened in May. It brings together world-leading scientists to investigate how brain circuits process information to create the neural representations that guide behaviour. The full complement of scientists is expected to reach 150 along with around 50 dedicated support staff. Andrew Grainger, Director of UCL Estates, said: 'It is fantastic that the Centre has won the recognition of the construction industry and this is a great achievement for the project team and all the partners involved in realising the building.