Submitted by Vanessa Bismuth on Fri, 21/05/2021 - 11:46
On Thursday 20 May, the University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stephen J Toope, and Pro Vice-Chancellors David Cardwell and Anne Ferguson-Smith met with Head of Department Professor Andy Parker for a visit of the new Ray Dolby Centre.
The Ray Dolby Centre is the centrepiece of the new Cavendish Laboratory, and will complete the rehousing of the entire Department in state-of-the-art facilities on the West Cambridge site when it opens its doors in 2023.
It was the first time that the Vice-Chancellor was able to visit the site since the ground-breaking ceremony, and the first visit by the new Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Anne Ferguson-Smith.
An opportunity for the delegation to see the progress made on the building and to hear from our contractors about the many challenges and achievements that have come with constructing state of the art facilities of this scale.
Professor Andy Parker, Head of the Cavendish Laboratory said: “Only a visit on site gives you a genuine sense of the scale of the project and the quality of the facilities. A lot of thoughts have gone through into the design to make the environment comfortable for all the staff, while meeting the very stringent conditions needed for the research. Seeing this all taking shape is exhilarating.
“We were particularly to explore the public wing, which is now coming together at pace and already looking grandiose. It will truly be an asset for the whole site, allowing conferences to take place using the lecture theatres, public areas and cafe, or concerts in the Dolby auditorium.”
The new purpose-built building, constructed by Bouygues UK, was made possible through the generosity of the Dolby family.