A proposed new research centre to be built on the St Mary’s Hospital campus in Paddington has taken a major step forward as the architect charged with designing the building has been announced. London-based studio Stanton Williams has been selected by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to work on the Fleming Centre following a competitive design competition and a three-day exhibition in November.
Early concept images of the centre have also been published, having first been shown at the exhibition. The Fleming Centre is part of the larger Fleming Initiative, a project established by Imperial College Healthcare and Imperial College London to discover solutions to antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites adapt to no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat. The centre itself is intended to act as both a research and engagement hub, bringing together researchers, policymakers and other experts to collaborate to tackle AMR.
It is expected to open in 2028, to coincide with 100 years since penicillin was discovered at St Mary’s by Sir Alexander Fleming.
The Fleming Centre is part of the wider Fleming Initiative, established to discover solutions to antimicrobial resistance
(Image: Stanton Williams)
In a RIBA release, it is stated Stanton Williams’ concept design ’embraces the heritage of [the centre’s] proposed location on the site of The Bays’. It adds these former warehouses built around 1850 were originally used for transport and distribution before being incorporated into the hospital in 1983. The project will now move towards detailed design development, public consultations, and the submission of a planning application with Westminster City Council.
Professor the Lord Darzi, Executive Chair of the Fleming Initiative, said: “Stanton Williams has a bold vision for the Fleming Centre and has brought our ambitions to life with a concept that reflects the centre’s unique purpose and global significance. By providing a flexible space to unite researchers, policymakers, clinicians, behavioural experts, commercial partners and the public in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, we can ensure that the Fleming Centre becomes a global beacon for change in healthcare.”
Professor Tim Orchard, Chief Executive of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, described the news as an ‘exciting milestone’ for the Fleming Centre and the wider redevelopment of the St Mary’s Hospital site. He added: “The Stanton Williams design concept gave the selection panel great confidence that the building they design will honour both Sir Alexander Fleming’s legacy and our aspiration for continued innovation with local and global impact.”
St Mary’s Hospital is on the Government’s New Hospital Programme. Launched by the former Conservative Government to address issues with the NHS estate, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves last year announced the programme would be reviewed due to funding concerns. That review is ongoing.
The Fleming Centre is expected to open in 2028
(Image: Stanton Williams)
Imperial President Professor Hugh Brady said: “The Fleming Centre will bring together Imperial’s world-leading researchers with diverse UK and international partners, including from academia, the pharmaceutical industry, policy community and civil society to tackle the challenge of AMR head-on. The new building will also be a key part of the Paddington Life Sciences development and Imperial WestTech Corridor vision. We are excited to be one step closer to starting the transformative work it will enable us to do.”
Gavin Henderson, Principal Director at Stanton Williams, said: “It is a privilege to be working with Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust on this globally significant project, which aims to become a global beacon for change in healthcare and ‘put science on show’, demystifying critical research to celebrate and encourage participation in the vital but often unseen work of researchers and clinicians.”
Get the biggest stories from around London straight to your inbox. Sign up to MyLondon’s The 12 HERE for the 12 biggest stories each day.