How the proposed building could look

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A PROPOSED research centre to be built on the St Mary’s Hospital campus in Paddington has taken a major step forward as the architect charged with designing the building has been announced.

London-based studio Stanton Williams has been selected by the Royal Institute of British Architects to work on the Fleming Centre following a design competition and three-day exhibition in November.

Concept images of the centre have also been published, having first been shown at the exhibition. The Fleming Centre is part of the larger Fleming Initiative, a project established by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Imperial College London to discover solutions to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites adapt to no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat.

The centre itself is intended to act as both a research and engagement hub, bringing together researchers, policy-makers and other experts to collaborate to tackle AMR.

It is expected to open in 2028 to coincide with 100 years since penicillin was discovered at St Mary’s by Sir Alexander Fleming (1881-1955).

In a RIBA release, it is stated Stanton Williams’s concept design “embraces the heritage” of the proposed location on the site of “The Bays”. It says these former warehouses, built around 1850, were originally used for transport and distribution before being incorporated into the hospital in 1983.

The project will now move towards detailed design development, public consultations, and the submission of a planning application with Westminster City Council.

Professor Ara, the Lord Darzi, executive chair of the Fleming Initiative, said: “Stanton Williams has a bold vision for the Fleming Centre and has brought our ambitions to life with a concept that reflects the centre’s unique purpose and global significance. By providing a flexible space to unite researchers, policy-makers, clinicians, behavioural experts, commercial partners and the public in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, we can ensure that the Fleming Centre becomes a global beacon for change in healthcare.”

Professor Tim Orchard, chief executive of the healthcare NHS trust, described the news as an “exciting milestone” for the Fleming Centre and wider redevelopment of the St Mary’s Hospital site.

He added: “The Stanton Williams design concept gave the selection panel great confidence that the building they design will honour both Sir Alexander Fleming’s legacy and our aspiration for continued innovation with local and global impact.”

The hospital is on the government’s New Hospital Programme, launched by the former Conservative government. Labour chancellor Rachel Reeves last year announced the programme would be reviewed due to funding concerns, and that review is ongoing.

Imperial College president Professor Hugh Brady said: “The Fleming Centre will bring together Imperial’s world-leading researchers with diverse UK and international partners, including from academia, the pharmaceutical industry, policy community and civil society to tackle the challenge of AMR head-on. The new building will also be a key part of the Paddington Life Sciences development and Imperial WestTech Corridor vision.

“We are excited to be one step closer to starting the transformative work it will enable us to do.”