Building the future of physics

We were chosen by the University of Cambridge to lead the move and build the new Department of Physics on the West Cambridge campus. This once-in-a-generation project included three parts:

• The Shared Facilities Hub
  A 4,500 square metre building that includes a library, teaching spaces, retail outlets and a large production kitchen. This kitchen can support catering across the whole university.
• The Ray Dolby Centre
  A 34,000 square metre building that is now the new home of the Department of Physics. It has laboratories, clean rooms, workshops, classrooms, meeting spaces and 250 offices.
• Infrastructure Works
  This included a high-voltage power upgrade, better telecoms, and rerouting of water and drainage services.

These three parts form the largest building programme the University has ever delivered. Together, they create a modern and flexible environment for research and teaching.

The Ray Dolby Centre was designed with scientific precision in mind. Its labs include features like vibration control, magnetic shielding and strict temperature regulation. These allow researchers to work at the cutting edge of science, including quantum physics and photonics.

Sustainability was also key. The building meets BREEAM Excellent standards. We worked with the University to meet environmental targets while coordinating with nearby buildings and managing activity on a busy, working campus.

Next door, the Shared Facilities Hub brings many services into one building. It helps departments work together and adds social and retail space for the wider community.

This was a true team effort. From the start, we were based in the University's project offices. That meant we could stay in sync and respond quickly when needed.

We managed the overall programme, oversaw contracts and acted as the principal designer. All parts of the project were delivered on time and on budget, including the Ray Dolby Centre, finished in May 2024.

We also helped shape how the project was managed and supported the main contractor selection. Throughout, we worked with teams across the University, from Estates and Finance to academics and the Dolby family, whose donation helped bring the project to life.

Working on an active university site brought many challenges. We kept things clear and under control from start to finish.

We allowed extra time in the plan for approvals and changes. We also shared what we learned with our wider team to help future projects run more smoothly.

As the Employer’s Agent, we checked and approved contractor plans. We solved design problems. And wemade sure all work met the University’s standards.

Our leadership gave the University confidence across procurement, stakeholder management, digital delivery and day-to-day oversight.

• Project management - From design stage onwards, we led procurement and set up clear management systems. Our on-site team kept everything on track.
• Programme management - Regular reviews of the construction programme gave us clear oversight. This helped us to manage changes, especially during the pandemic and inflation spikes.
• Design management - We held workshops with researchers to make sure the building met their needs. The results were shared across the sector.
• Stakeholder engagement - We made sure every voice was heard. From professors to facilities staff, all stakeholders had a chance to feed into the project.
• Digital Integration - We met BIM Level 2 standards and worked with the Centre for Digital Built Britain to take digital project delivery even further.

To keep everything on track, we introduced Power BI dashboards. These gave real-time updates on cost, risk, progress and compliance.

The dashboards worked so well that the University has rolled them out across its entire capital programme. They now support more than one hundred projects worth over £1 billion. A single tool has helped transform how the University manages its estate.

The Ray Dolby Centre is more than just a building. It shows what careful planning, strong partnerships and expert delivery can achieve.

Now the University’s flagship project, it sets a new standard for research spaces. And it proves that with the right approach, even the most complex environments can be delivered with clarity and confidence.