The University of Cardiff has awarded the UK arm of French contractor Bouygues a £120m project to build an "innovation campus" on the site of a former rail yard.
The site, at Maindy Park in the centre of the Welsh capital, will host what the university says is the world’s first social science research park and an Innovation Centre – an incubator for "start-ups, spin-outs and partnerships".
There will also be two scientific research establishments: the Institute for Compound Semiconductors and Cardiff Catalysis Institute.
Colin Riordan, the university’s vice-chancellor, said: "The Cardiff Innovation Campus is right at the heart of our long-term commitment to build social and economic prosperity in Wales for the benefit of all. We are delighted to be working with Bouygues UK to create a ‘Home of Innovation’ that unlocks the power of research."
The exterior of the research centre and the incubator (Hawkins\Brown)
Fabienne Viala, chairman of Bouygues UK, added: "We’re particularly committed to this project that will transform an abandoned yard into a new space for creativity, entrepreneurship and job creation. We have solid experience in Wales, where we work with universities and rehabilitate brownfields."
The Innovation Centre was designed by UK firm Hawkins\Brown and the scientific element was the work of US giant HOK.
Other team members include CH2M, which is providing mechanical, electrical, structural and civil engineering services, BuroFour, which is providing project management services and Faithful and Gould, the cost consultant.
Work will begin in September 2018 for and will complete in 2021.
Top image: "The world’s first ever social sciences research facility" (Hawkins\Brown)
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