Construction work has topped out at the London Institute for Healthcare Engineering (LIHE), an initiative led by King’s College London’s School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences with the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Bringing together research and clinical practice under one roof, the project will be the first of its kind to develop medical technologies from conception to commercialisation.
Morgan Sindall is managing the construction programme with HLM Architects leading all aspects of the design. Located in St Thomas’ in London, the new multi-disciplinary building overlooks the River Thames and forms part of the vision for St Thomas’ MedTech Hub.
Bringing together research and clinical practice under one roof, the project will be the first of its kind to develop medical technologies from conception to commercialisation. This close collaboration will ensure that research in healthcare engineering is translated rapidly into new products and technologies that will benefit patients sooner and more effectively.
Initially focusing on key clinical challenges in cancer, neurology, cardiovascular, ophthalmology, oral health and prenatal conditions, the facility will incorporate the most advanced amenities available within a design that fosters research and learning at the highest level.
Featuring an expansive open floor connected by a Helix styled feature staircase, the architecture will integrate all levels of the building to create an interactive environment. Externally, the building will be sensitively designed to complement the historic surroundings and adjacent listed buildings.
Claire Wakelin, Head of Education at HLM Architects, said: “We are pleased to see this ground-breaking facility officially underway. Architecturally, it is a significant new building that has been sensitively designed to ensure it sits appropriately within the wider context of the area, which is rich in history. It’s also exciting to think that we may be in the middle of delivering a new landmark, and that someday history could be created under this very roof.”
