Stanton Williams has studied The Bays to explore how it can transform the site into an accessible, modern research facility which complements its historic setting on the Paddington Basin.
The architectural brief
Open, collaborative public spaces for institutions, academics, policy makers and the community to come together, connected to a rooftop terrace.
A publicly-accessible exhibition and events spaces on the ground snd first floors to contribute to the fight against AMR, and a new neighbouring canal-side café.
Workspaces, laboratories, and clinics where cutting-edge research can take place.
Welcoming outdoor spaces and routes that are safe and accessible.
Our design principles
Our aspiration is for the Fleming Centre to provide opportunities for the community and to bring science to life, while benefitting public health and climate change.
A set of design principles will guide our plans as they progress. These include:
A design concept fit for the future, with sustainability and wellbeing at its heart.
A celebration of the site’s industrial heritage and scientific past, central to repurposing The Bays.
Accessible safe routes around the Paddington Basin, with improved public street lighting and wayfinding.
Two new pavilions to the south of the Centre for secure cycle parking and servicing the new building, providing more space for the public discovery centre.
Places to relax and recharge through a canal side cafe alongside pocket parks with seasonal planting.
Benefits for the local community
The Fleming Centre will bring world-leading expertise and investment into Paddington – creating new jobs and boosting the local economy as well as helping to improve the health of the local community.
The Centre will engage communities by:
Hosting a public discovery centre with events and learning space, including a free interactive exhibition and programme of events. This will provide learning opportunities and increase understanding of research and innovation.
Providing a warm and accessible new streetscape with attractive planting and walkways connected to the local neighbourhood.
Delivering new employment and training opportunities at all levels, supporting careers in research and healthcare.
The design aim to deliver:
Improved, accessible routes around the Paddington Basin, with better lighting and wayfinding.
The Centre will engage communities by:
Accessible, safe routes around the Paddington Basin, with improved street lighting and wayfinding.
Two new pavilions to the south of the Centre for secure cycle parking and servicing the new building, providing more space for the public discovery centre.
Places to relax and recharge through a canal side café alongside pocket parks with seasonal planting.
Designed for Paddington Basin
The design celebrates and reflects both the site’s industrial past and St Mary’s Hospital’s heritage of research and innovation. It does this by:
Retaining heritage features whilst also incorporating a modern vertical extension, reflecting the contemporary context of the site.
Sensitively extending the top of the existing building by four storeys, with an additional rooftop terrace.
Creating a ‘veil’ exterior with a lightweight façade made of perforated and patterned metal screen, which gives delicacy and depth to the building. This will create a lantern effect and signify the global importance of the centre.
Extending the life and history of The Bays by retaining and preserving the external walls and historic features, as well as reusing reclaimed materials from the site.
A space for collaboration
As well as a dedicated public discovery centre, the Centre will provide spaces for everyone through:
A generous convening space with access to the rooftop terrace.
Interconnecting spaces with easy access across the different building levels.
Views into the laboratories, bringing research and innovation to life and facilitating interaction.
Designing for sustainability
The design repurposes a building that is no longer fit for use while retaining its historic significance.
The design approach aims to create sustainable new development. This includes:
Partially retaining and reusing materials from The Bays, particularly the external structural walls and demolished brickwork to use as part of the extension.
Designing the building for longevity, ensuring it is well-insulated and airtight with space for natural ventilation, saving energy and creating a comfortable environment at all times of the year.
Increasing biodiversity through planted balconies, new landscaping features at ground level and living roofs for urban wildlife.
Integrating renewable energy by placing solar panels on the roof.
Using air source heat pumps to help power the building function more sustainably.
