We are pleased to be able to return to, and celebrate the five-year anniversary of The Catalyst. Emblematic of its name, the building has inspired and encouraged innovation across the region. The day will therefore be a way to showcase the incredible work that has been made possible in this collaborative work and research centre. Throughout the day attendees will hear from several National Institutes and companies, based within the building, this includes talks from the National Innovation Centres of Ageing and Data.

Following a 93-week construction period, The Catalyst completed in January 2020. The brief of the building was to inspire and welcome businesses, academics, third sector & public sector organisations, staff and public organisations, developing a sense of shared public ownership. We led the Architectural design, working closely with Newcastle University, the two National Innovation Centres, local businesses and other research organisations alongside regional designers and Contractors with the intention to foster a collaborative and supportive environment for ideas to thrive.

 

When the building opened, it accommodated commercial space for the National Innovation Centres of Ageing and Data and became home to the new National Institute for the Health Research Innovation Observatory. The Catalyst has since welcomed many other businesses, including The National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise and RTC North, who are the latest tenants to join the building.

The designs for the building prioritised interaction and open discussion. This has enabled collaboration between the different groups within The Catalyst, allowing them to develop on their joint focus: to drive innovation in data and healthy ageing. Reflecting the nature of the work carried out by NICA, the building also incorporates core principles of dementia friendly accessibility and guidance, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment for all.

More recently NICA has received funding, which will see their cutting-edge research being translated into new jobs, skills and tech start-ups in the area. Innovations could include smart homes, connected devices, remote monitoring and models of health, care and support that enable older people to live independently.

One of the most remarkable achievements of The Catalyst is its BREEAM Outstanding certification, making it the first commercial building in the North East to achieve this. A rating reserved for only the top 1% of new UK non-domestic buildings. This accomplishment not only exceeded the original brief but also underscored the building’s innovative and sustainable design.

The Catalyst’s success has been widely recognised through numerous accolades. We have received twelve awards, including the 2020 Winner of the Constructing Excellence North East Award for Building Project of the Year, Sustainability, and Integration and Collaboration, going on to then achieve the Constructing Excellence National Award for Sustainability.

Simon Rennison-Rae, partner at GSSArchitecture, has commented, ‘The Catalyst is a great success story, operating at full occupancy, quickly letting even within Covid lockdown, as companies and academia saw the benefits that different ways of working can bring to them as well as having access to presentation, market research and workshop spaces right in the heart of Newcastle.

This project was a true collaboration for all involved; it showcases GSSArchitecture’s design and delivery capabilities and put the Practice on the map not only in the North East but raised our profile as a National Practice. Congratulations to everyone, in particular the University and National Innovation Centres, who’s work and drive helped us to achieve a building which is as fresh as the day it was built. Happy 5th Birthday from all at GSSArchitecture!’

Innovation and collaboration remain at the heart of The Catalyst, which regularly hosts networking opportunities and forums. Events such as ‘Datalyst’ and the ‘Annual IBD Investigators Day’, organised by the British Society of Gastroenterology, showcase the latest research and advancements in the field.

We continue to enjoy this close working relationship with Newcastle University, having recently completed the refurbishment of their Dental School and continuing work on the Health and Innovation Neighbourhood Masterplan.