We have been appointed by Procter & Gamble to carry out the multimillion pound design and build of the Innovation Centre in Reading, Berkshire, which will comprise research and development offices and laboratories for its staff.

Set within an industrial area to the South of Reading City Centre, the site has been used for industrial purposes since the mid-1900s. Most recently, the facility has been the research and development laboratory responsible for the front-end innovation for new Procter & Gamble razor products used across the world. This includes the creation, prototyping and testing of Gillette razor products the company has launched over the last 50 years.

Working with The Fairhursts Design Group, we will demolish the south-western wing of the existing building to make way for a new two-storey building comprising offices and laboratories. The new and existing buildings will be linked by a glazed atrium which will provide views over the newly landscaped green spaces and a prominent entrance for staff and visitors.

The attractive and modern facilities will offer flexible, efficient and sustainable work accommodation, while acknowledging the site’s industrial history through a sympathetic design to complement the existing Gillette manufacturing building facing Basingstoke Road.

Once complete, the building will provide high-quality research facilities that support the needs and talents of the scientists who work there, enabling them to thrive in a modern work environment.

Tim Brown, Procter & Gamble’s Associate Director for R&D said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with GRAHAM on our new Health Care Research Centre in Reading. GRAHAM has a strong track record in innovation in design and construction and was the winner of the UK Building Award for Major Contractor in 2017.”

Rob Joyce, Development Director, GRAHAM said:

“This new development will provide state-of-the-art laboratories and research facilities to support the needs of Procter & Gamble’s workforce. Our aim is to create a modern, fit for purpose facility that is sympathetic to the site’s history while encouraging innovation.”

Richard Sagar, Managing Director of The Fairhursts Design Group, lead said:

“We are proud to be involved in such a significant project alongside GRAHAM. The project teams’ collaborative approach will see the vision for the Innovation Centre in Reading come to life and provide enhanced research and development facilities that are modern and adaptable.”

Works are expected to complete end of 2019.