THE BEATSON INSTITUTE FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Designed by Reiach and Hall Architect

CHATZITHEODORIDIS VASILEIOS

THE BEATSON INSTITUTE

Introduction
The Beatson Institute for cancer research was designed by Reiach and Hall Architects and its
construction, which cost about 10m, completed in 2006.It is placed on the northwest part of
Glasgow at Garcube Estate and its existence supports Glasgows ambition of becoming a world
centre for research into cancer. The building is able to host more than 240 researchers and despite
the impressive glazed skin shape great emphasis was given to the quality of the interior especially on
what concerns the natural lighting.
Site and external features
The squared base building is placed on a rectangular site and it has two entrances at the centre of
the north and south side. Walking from the north parking to the building you get impressed by the
strong sense of transparency that the building gives which was achieved by covering the external
surfaces of the structure with a glazed skin that reflects the surrounding environment and the sky.
The cutting edge volume combined with the use of transparent materials, the white surfaces and the
frames behind the external glazed skin make the building look like an ice cube dropped on a grass
covered site. The ideal weather conditions for someone to understand what the architects were
trying to achieve is on a sunny day during the summer where the grass that covers the site makes a
strong contrast with the cube which almost disappears by reflecting the sky and the green
surrounding environment.


Internal features
Entering the building from the south side you can easy realize that the whole ground floor design
was developed around a symmetrical axis from the north to the south. That axis is a hall that
connects the two entrances and with the use of dark colour materials for the finishes the designer
managed to strengthen even more the light full environment of the rest of the building. As a result
there is a huge contrast between the lighting in every turn that guides you away from the dark hall.
Climbing on the stairs to the first floor the visitor is dealing with a completely different picture, the
factor here that affected the design is the light. Despite the complexity of the arrangement of the
laboratories and the offices light is everywhere and this was succeeded by using the staircases as a
vertical source for light from the top of the building to the bottom. From here the light is diffused to
the rest of the space with the combined help of glazed walls that divide the facilities and the use of
light reflecting colours.








Recognition
The Beatson Institute for cancer research can be considered as a building with symbolic character
that represents a purpose. The idea was to design a building that its environment will help to fulfil its
purpose which is the research into cancer and this was succeeded internally and externally. Worth
mentioning is the fact that despite its modern character it manages to fit and respect the nature that
surrounds it. All these features lead to its recognition from the architecture community.

Gained awards
RIBA Award 2009
Scottish Design Awards Architecture Grand Prix 2009
Scottish Design Awards Best Public Building 2009
Civic Trust Award 2009
Glasgow Institute of Architects Supreme Award 2008
Glasgow Institute of Architects Best Healthcare Building 2008
Roses Design Award Best Public Building 2008 Silver
Conclusion
In order to conclude we have to ask ourselves what really makes a building worth mentioning. As
architects we may emphasize in shapes, materials and the quality of the structure but we have to
consider the purpose that a building represents and in that case the purpose is a great working
environment. On the other hand there is one debatable issue about this building which concerns its
location and the recognition that it received. There is no way to see the building from the
surrounding area and the only people who see it are those who work in it. So we are talking about a
building that refers to a small amount of people and someone might say that it would be better to
build something cheaper that focuses only on practical issues and that there is no reason for hunting
all these awards but in that case the result was based on a practical purpose and the successful
dealing with this purpose brought the awards.

PHOTO BY PAUL ZANRE