The New Cancer Research Facility, Beatson Institute for the University of Glasgow and Cancer Research UK, constructed by Turner & Townsend has won a coveted Civic Trust Award.

Celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, the Civic Trust Awards are regarded as one of the most respected and valued public realm award schemes.

This year there were over 400 entrants with more than 50 from Scotland alone. A Scottish shortlist of only 8 projects was drawn up and the Beatson Institute was one of only 2 Scottish schemes to receive a full Civic Trust Award.

Turner & Townsend were appointed by the University of Glasgow to provide full Cost Management services on the £11m new build Beatson Institute.

Cancer Research UK and the University of Glasgow wanted to develop world class facilities to accelerate the process of understanding cancer and identifying new therapies. The flagship laboratory is home to 240 researchers and has allowed the Institute to develop some state of the art technologies in focused areas to underpin their research.

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In 1890, a new cancer hospital opened in Glasgow, which was headed up by George Thomas Beatson, and in 1912 he established a cancer research department.

The department became known as the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research in 1967 and moved to it's present location at the Garscube Estate in 1976.

Some of the Cancer Division of the University of Glasgow moved to a new laboratory on site in 1990 and now, all basic and clinical cancer research has been encompassed at the Beatson Institute and the University of Glasgow, into the Glasgow Centre for Cancer Research.

Ronnie Dool, Director, Turner & Townsend said: "We're pleased that the Beatson Institute has been recognised by the Civic Trust, and we’re delighted to have been involved with a project which is facilitating understanding cancer and identifying new therapies."

The Civic Trust Award adds to the already established credit gained by the Beatson project. It received the Glasgow Institute of Architects Awards Supreme Medal and Best Healthcare Building 2008 along with a Silver Roses Design Award, Best Public Building 2008 - the highest award given in this category. The scheme has also just been shortlisted in the Public Building category for the Scottish Design Awards.

(GK/JM)