| Architect |
Terry Farrell |
| Date
Built |
1999 |
| Location |
Times Square |
| Description |
|
The Centre for
Life is located in Times Square, a
development in Newcastle's city centre not
too far from the central railway
station. It regards itself as, "
... a pioneering science village
...
where scientists, clinicians,
educationalists and business people come
together to promote advancement of the
life sciences." Among its
offering to visitors are: a planetarium, a
science theatre, a motion simulator ride, a
young explorers zone and a number of
exhibition spaces. The Centre's
website points out that the site had
previously been, "
... a Roman settlement, a hospital
and a livestock market."
They add that, "This ambitious, bold
project transformed a run-down area of
inner city Newcastle and stimulated a
regeneration programme that includes a
hotel, offices, housing and a
multi-storey car park."  The Centre was designed by the architectural practice of Terry Farrell. On their website they describe the £60million scheme as combining, " ... a new block for the university’s genetics department; a Bioscience Centre with office and laboratory space for private sector bio-technology companies; a visitor attraction designed to inform the public about genetics and the story of DNA; and Times Square, Newcastle’s first new public square for over a century." They regard the centre as, "... a landmark urban regeneration project that celebrates and revives elements of Newcastle’s past. The architecture and urban planning actively promotes renewal, evolution and development, thereby mirroring the life-giving function of the building." |
|
|
Centre
for Life, Times Square, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
    The old building, seen in the
images above and below, is a relic of the market that
once occupied this site. On the ground floor of
the old building were the offices of the market keeper
and the toll collector. Upstairs was living
accommodation for the families of both. It was
designed by the Newcastle architect John Dobson and
built in 1840.
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