Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT) has been appointed as the architect for a new teaching and research facility which will enhance the Oxford University's world-leading chemistry research and teaching programme.

FJMT were selected following an international design competition that included practices from the United Kingdom, Denmark and Australia. The short-listed architects were: Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands; MAKE; RMJM; Schmidt Hammer Lassen; and Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp.

The Oxford Chemistry Department is the largest in the western world in both teaching and research. The teaching course is world-renowned and includes the unique features of the Oxford tutorial system and a full year's research element. Oxford Chemistry has the ambition to be unquestionably top ranked in the world, able to produce the enabling Science needed to tackle the real problems facing humankind. With this focus Chemistry has recently amalgamated the previously separate sub-departments into one unified and interdisciplinary Chemistry department and embarked on a series of major research initiatives to stimulate future growth of this core discipline.

The new development, Chemistry Research Laboratory 2 (CRL2), will augment the existing Chemistry Research Laboratory 1 (CRL1) and will bring together researchers currently disbursed across three buildings. An additional 20,000sqm of flexible floor space will be created providing a facility that will meet the requirements of 21st century research.

"The CRL1 was opened six years ago and remains the best chemistry research facility anywhere in the world" says Professor Steve Davies, Chairman of Chemistry and Waynflete Professor of Organic Chemistry. "The new building, CRL2, will be even more exceptional embodying both a scientific and a physical landmark. It will provide, with CRL1, a single state-of-the-art chemistry facility for world-class research and teaching, thus attracting the very best scholars at all levels from all over the world."

FJMT's proposed design is an explosion of architectural form which is open, welcoming and dramatic yet complementary to the heritage scale, streetscape and urban context. It is distinctive and exciting architecture that reflects the high technology, sophistication, ambition and aspiration of the Department of Chemistry. The design is not only functional, efficient and appropriately sustainable but also innovative and dramatic, and will create a new landmark at the centre of the University Science Area. While contemporary in expression, the proposed building will complement Oxford's unique heritage qualities and create a cohesive urban response.

"The Department of Chemistry is pleased to collaborate with FJMT on this unique opportunity to establish a world class facility. The success of such a unique project will be dependent on the design team working hard as a cohesive whole with the Department and other stakeholders. During the competition, FJMT demonstrated their ability to deliver to program as well as develop innovative design, the Department is confident the resulting team and skills is a powerful combination. FJMT's design was selected as it will provide a world class facility, delivering not only superlative, functional, flexible, teaching and research facilities but also physically and intellectually linking the Departments of Chemistry. FJMT are to be commended in the way the design integrates with existing buildings, respects sensitivities, and provides a building which is clearly orientated and defined, creates a setting, promotes identity and ensures a sense of arrival" says Professor Steve Davies, Waynflete Professor of Chemistry & Chairman of Organic Chemistry.

CRL2 will house over 46 laboratories, being a mixture of synthetic chemistry, wet, chemical biology, laser, NMR and solid state facilities. The new £165 million CRL2 building will be physically connected to the existing CRL1 building by an underground 'spine'. This light-filled spine will create a strong connection between the two facilities; allowing pedestrian and delivery access between the two buildings, improve physical, functional and social linkages, and aid in the redistribution of ancillary programme between them, thus maximising the efficient use of space.

"The new CRL2 project is an opportunity to create not only a landmark state-of-the-art laboratory, research facility and teaching complex, but also create a new centre and heart of the science precinct at Oxford University" says Richard Francis-Jones, Design Director of FJMT. "In addition to the extensive specialist research laboratories and work environments, our proposal creates new open space at the heart of the precinct, Chemistry Green, that will orientate, and add amenity and significance to the new building in the tradition of Oxford University's historic campus landmarks. This new open space, together with the social spaces within the integrated complex, will form a collegiate complex that enhances communication, collaboration and innovation.''

"The University is pleased to be working with FJMT on this project which will lie at the heart of the University Science Area Masterplan which has been prepared by Farrells Architects" says Mike Wigg, Head of Capital Projects at Oxford University. "We are in a position where we can now progress through the detail design stage of the project culminating in the submission of a planning application before the end of the year."

The other Consultants appointed to work with FJMT are PDCM (Project Managers) EC Harris (Cost Consultants) Pell Frischman (Structural Engineers) Hoare-Lea (M+E) OCC Building Control and HCD (CDMC).

MEDIA CONTACT: James Perry jperry@fjmt.com.au +612 9251 7077

For more information, including an architect's impressions of the new CRL2 facility, please contact the Oxford University Press Office on 01865 280531.

About Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp is a multi-award-winning Australian practice dedicated to design excellence and the enhancement of the public domain. The multi-disciplinary fjmt design studio explores the evolution of architectural form by synthesising place and programme through an elaboration of the tectonic. fjmt's work focuses on the spatial and organic interconnection of built form and site to embody shared values and aspirations. Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp have won many international and national architectural competitions and design awards, including Australia's highest awards for architecture, the AIA Zelman Cowen award for public architecture, the Lloyd Rees award for civic design excellence, and the Lachlan Macquarie Award for Conservation. [Please check the wording of these awards] Through studios in Sydney and Melbourne, and project offices interstate and overseas Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp undertake public, institutional, commercial and residential projects throughout Australasia and recently in Europe. These commissions are frequently the result of international design competitions. Website: www.fjmt.co.uk

About the Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford The Oxford Chemistry Department is one of the leading research departments in the world, with around 80 academics heading up active research groups of chemists from wide ranging international backgrounds. Its size enables the Department to undertake a uniquely wide range of research across all areas of Chemistry and Oxford Chemistry has played a key role in shaping the modern world. Advances ranging from the lithium battery, microchip and LCD display to antibiotics and DNA technology have all relied on developments and discoveries in chemistry. In areas from molecular medicine to the development of new superconductors, chemistry has the potential to further revolutionise our lives in the future. Oxford chemistry is at the forefront of activity in many of these key fields, often in collaboration with other researchers across the physical and life sciences - and beyond. As well as advances in core areas of chemistry (including catalysis and measurement), the Department of Chemistry will play a major role in two of the MPLS division's interdisciplinary research initiatives: in Biomedicine, Oxford chemists work in areas including medical imaging, the design of new drugs, and innovative and targeted methods of drug delivery; within the Energy Futures theme, work in the department on 'alternative' (carbon-free/neutral) technologies ranges from the synthesis of both organic and inorganic photovoltaic materials to the generation and storage of hydrogen. Oxford chemists will also contribute to the Biosphere 2100 initiatives, to Climate Prediction, and to Engineering for our Environment. The department has produced four Nobel laureates, and 15 current or emeritus members are Fellows of the Royal Society. Oxford Chemistry offers world-class teaching, consistently rated among the best in the UK. Students study a four-year course, a unique feature of which is spending their final year working full-time on a project with some of the leading researchers in the UK. The Department has lively interactions with schools and the wider community, encouraging interest in science and inspiring the next generation of innovative chemists. The latest (2008) Research Assessment Exercise confirmed that Oxford Chemistry has the highest "power rating" (breadth and depth of science) in the UK.

The Department has an unrivalled track record in protecting and commercialising the innovative work of research staff. Over £80 million in cash has been raised for the University as a result of spin out activities from research carried out by Oxford chemists. The Chemistry Department at Oxford collaborates at a high level with departments throughout the University, with local hospitals and facilities such as Diamond and MRC Harwell and has close links with academia and industry in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world. Website: www.chem.ox.ac.uk

About 2011, the International Year of Chemistry In 2008 the 63rd General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution proclaiming 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry, placing UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry at the helm of the event. "Ethiopia submitted the UN Resolution calling for the Year, which will celebrate the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humanity. The Year will also draw attention to the UN Decade of Education and Sustainable Development 2005-2014. National and international activities carried out during 2011 will emphasize the importance of chemistry in sustaining natural resources. Chemistry is fundamental to our understanding of the world and the cosmos. Moreover, molecular transformations are central to the production of food, medicines, fuel and countless manufactured and extracted products. Through the Year, the world will celebrate the art and science of chemistry, and its essential contributions to knowledge, to environmental protection and to economic development." - UNESCO Press Release 04/01/09